Erdogan and Guterres discuss Iran-US tensions and Ukraine war at COP31
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday on the sidelines of the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, with discussions focusing on tensions between Iran and the United States, the war in Ukraine and developments in Gaza, Cyprus and Libya, the Turkish presidency's communications office said.
The meeting took place during the Leaders' Summit of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the first edition of the annual climate conference hosted by Türkiye.
Erdogan calls for diplomacy on regional conflicts
According to the Turkish presidency, Erdogan told Guterres that Ankara was working with countries across the region to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, stressing the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
On the war between Russia and Ukraine, Erdogan said Türkiye remained committed to efforts to end the conflict and was ready to support a renewed dialogue process.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the latest developments in Gaza, Cyprus and Libya.
Erdogan expressed satisfaction with Türkiye's role as host of the UN climate summit, saying preparations for the conference had been completed. He voiced hope that the Antalya meeting would become a "new starting point" for addressing global climate challenges.
Guterres urges action to end fossil fuel dependence
Speaking separately at COP31, Guterres called on governments to move beyond discussions about abandoning fossil fuels and begin implementing concrete measures.
"We must now, here at COP31, move beyond discussing the transition and begin organizing, financing and delivering it," he said during a session on a roadmap for a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
Guterres stressed that accelerating the transition was essential to keeping global warming within the 1.5-degree Celsius limit established under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
He also warned that dependence on fossil fuels carried significant economic and security risks, pointing to disruptions caused by the Middle East crisis.
According to the UN chief, the European Union has paid more than 100 billion euros in additional fossil fuel import costs since the crisis began, without receiving additional supplies. He added that nine oil companies were on course to earn more than $95 billion over three months.
Switching suppliers would not eliminate the underlying vulnerability, he argued, as disruptions in one part of the world could drive prices higher everywhere.
Guterres called for greater investment in renewable energy, electricity grids, energy storage, efficiency and green electrification.
UN chief outlines principles for global transition
Guterres said the proposed roadmap was based on two central principles: recognising that countries have different starting points and capacities, while maintaining a shared objective of moving away from fossil fuels.
He also stressed that national efforts alone would not be sufficient, calling for coordinated action on both fossil fuel supply and demand.
Developed countries, development banks and international partners should cooperate on financing, technology transfer and capacity building, he said.
He further urged fossil fuel importers and exporters to coordinate their transition plans, emphasising the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
COP31 delegates call for faster implementation
Former COP30 president Andre Aranha Correa do Lago praised Guterres for promoting a more coordinated approach to climate action within the United Nations.
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN climate body, said COP conferences should help advance practical solutions and called on the Antalya summit to accelerate implementation.
Stiell also highlighted the role of renewable energy in reducing exposure to fossil fuel price fluctuations and strengthening energy security.
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry called for climate commitments to be translated into investment, concrete plans and action.
He said 91% of new renewable energy projects in 2024 were cheaper than the least expensive new fossil fuel alternatives.
However, Kerry pointed to continued investment in oil and gas, saying companies that signed a decarbonisation pledge in Dubai subsequently approved 68 new oil and gas fields and expansion projects during the first nine months of the following year.
He also noted that global fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions reached record levels last year, despite international commitments to accelerate the energy transition.
The COP31 discussions in Antalya are taking place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, energy security concerns and growing pressure on governments to turn climate pledges into measurable action.
Source:AA
