Türkiye’s Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum held a pivotal meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, spearheading high-level diplomatic efforts for the International Day of Zero Waste while solidifying Türkiye’s climate leadership ahead of the COP31 summit.
Kurum, who will preside over COP31, met separately with Guterres, U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo and U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen, following an earlier roundtable with non-governmental organizations.
In talks with Guterres at U.N. headquarters, Kurum said discussions focused on some of the most pressing global challenges, including the deepening climate crisis, energy security concerns, and the protection of vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.
He noted that the meeting also addressed key enablers of climate action such as climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building, alongside the promotion of circular economy practices.
