Pakistan, Turkiye unveil strategic climate partnership ahead of COP31 Summit in Antalya

Pakistan and Turkiye on Friday unveiled a deeper strategic partnership on climate resilience, flood management and water security as both brotherly countries moved to strengthen regional cooperation ahead of the crucial 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November this year. The understanding emerged during high-level talks between a Turkish technical delegation and senior Pakistani officials at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, according to an official press release issued here. COP31, the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, is expected to focus on implementation of global climate commitments, adaptation financing, loss-and-damage support for vulnerable nations, and accelerated action on climate resilience in the face of increasingly severe weather events across the world. The Turkish delegation, facilitated by TIKA, was led by Maruf Aras, while the Pakistani side was headed by Secretary Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha HumeraMoriani. The visiting delegation also included experts from Türkiye’s State Hydraulic Works and General Directorate for Water Management. During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on integrated flood and river basin management, glacier and avalanche risk reduction, multi-hazard early warning systems, combating desertification, and development of climate-resilient infrastructure.