What happened
Türkiye used a Pacific Resilience Facility pledging session at the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya to press partners for rapid financial contributions and delivery of their commitments.
Murat Kurum, COP31 President and Türkiye’s minister responsible for environment, urbanisation and climate change, said the facility reflects priorities established by Pacific countries. He described climate change as an immediate challenge to island communities’ ability to remain safely on their land.
The ministry said the meeting was held in the COP31 Blue Zone on the conference’s fourth day. Participants included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua, Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa.
Why it matters
Kurum connected the funding appeal to threats from sea-level rise and severe weather, which he said put housing, drinking-water sources and livelihoods at risk. The focus is not solely on announced pledges, but on whether money reaches projects when it is needed.
He called for more straightforward access to finance, arguing that initiatives for disaster readiness, secure infrastructure and water-resource conservation should not be delayed by burdensome application processes. He also urged stronger national capacity for project design and implementation, alongside reduced administrative requirements.
For funders and delivery partners, the practical next step is to ensure commitments can be translated into support for priorities determined in the region. The ministry did not provide a value for contributions or specify a timetable.
Türkiye’s offer of cooperation
Kurum said Türkiye would share lessons from urban transformation and post-disaster rebuilding. He cited the construction of 455,000 homes in the two years following the 6 February earthquakes as an example of that experience.
He also said any cooperation should be shaped by Pacific countries, whose conditions and needs differ from those elsewhere. The ministry’s account of the event is available here.
