COP31 BRIDGE initiative adds five countries at Antalya meeting

What happened

Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency announced that five countries have joined its BRIDGE climate implementation initiative: Chile, Mexico, Barbados, Zambia and Lebanon.

The programme was introduced earlier in New York with Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. It is being developed with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to help countries turn climate priorities into investment proposals, identify appropriate sources of finance, and match capacity needs with knowledge and technology.

The announcement was made at the Climate Implementation Bridge: From Commitment to Delivery high-level event in the Lycian Hall of the Blue Zone at COP31 in Antalya. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo and country representatives attended, according to Türkiye’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Ministry.

Environment Minister and COP31 President Murat Kurum said Türkiye would financially support BRIDGE’s initial work. He also said Türkiye and UNDP were due to sign a letter of intent.

Why it matters

For participating governments, BRIDGE is intended to address the gap between climate commitments and delivery by linking national development priorities to international finance and technical assistance. The initiative covers countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America.

For Türkiye, the programme places the country’s COP31 Presidency focus on implementation, investment and international cooperation. The ministry did not publish the value of Türkiye’s planned financial contribution or set out project-level funding allocations.

Background

The BRIDGE initiative is one of 10 priority areas under the COP31 Presidency Action Agenda. Kurum said a two-day leaders’ summit held during COP31 had added political momentum to the wider negotiations and implementation agenda.

What's next

A steering committee has been established for BRIDGE, according to Kurum. He said the initiative’s continuity would be reinforced alongside the COP32 Presidency.

Further details on the proposed Türkiye-UNDP letter of intent, financial support and delivery arrangements were not included in the ministry’s announcement.