Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo represented Bangladesh at the conference titled "Turkey's Road to COP31: Resilient Cities," held in Turkey. Photo: PID

ANTALYA, Turkey, May 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has called for stronger international cooperation and fair climate financing for vulnerable nations at an international conference in Turkey ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference (COP31).

The two-day conference titled "Turkey's Road to COP31: Resilient Cities", held on May 8-9 in Antalya, focused on building resilient and sustainable urban systems to address the growing impacts of climate change.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo represented Bangladesh at the conference held at the Museum Hotel in Hatay, Turkey. Environment and climate ministers, policymakers and representatives of international development organizations from different countries attended the event.

In the opening session, Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum welcomed the delegates and stressed the importance of disaster-resilient and sustainable urban development to tackle climate risks.

Later, Abdul Awal Mintoo held a bilateral meeting with Murat Kurum, where the Turkish minister sought Bangladesh's views and recommendations regarding COP31 and the proposed "Hatay Declaration".
Describing Bangladesh as a close and friendly partner of Turkey in the international community, Kurum invited Bangladesh to actively participate in COP31 and expressed interest in enhancing bilateral cooperation on environmental protection and climate resilience initiatives.

Thanking the Turkish government for the invitation, Mintoo said a large number of Bangladeshis currently reside in Turkey and the people of Bangladesh consider Turkey a trusted friend.

The minister said Bangladesh contributes only 0.35 percent of global carbon emissions but remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

He noted that deforestation, unplanned urbanization and rising sea levels continue to threaten the country's environment and livelihoods. "Despite facing severe climate-related challenges for decades, Bangladesh has not received adequate global financial support proportional to its needs," he said.

Mintoo said Bangladesh would place a special agenda at COP31 seeking enhanced international cooperation and climate financing for climate-vulnerable countries.

He also announced that Bangladesh would appoint focal persons ahead of COP31 to effectively present the country's climate vulnerabilities, priorities and support requirements at the global forum.

The minister emphasized that developed countries must take greater responsibility and ensure fair and timely climate financing for affected nations.

Later, Mintoo joined a panel discussion alongside Gambian Minister Rohey John Manjang, Syrian Minister Mohammed Anjrani, World Bank Country Director for Trkiye Humberto Lopez and General Manager of ILBANK Eyyup Karahan.

During the discussion, the Bangladesh environment minister highlighted the urgent need for financing climate-resilient infrastructure and urban systems in developing countries.

He said least developed and developing countries contribute comparatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet they suffer the worst consequences of climate change.

He also stressed the importance of technology transfer, technical cooperation and capacity building alongside financial assistance.

On the sidelines of the conference, Bangladesh and the Maldives discussed strengthening cooperation in environment, climate change and energy sectors.

Maldives Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef sought Bangladesh's support for a planned initiative to plant five million trees in the island nation.

In response, Mintoo said Bangladesh has undertaken a programme to plant 250 million trees over the next five years under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and invited the Maldivian minister to visit Bangladesh to observe the country's nursery and plantation management systems.

The programme concluded with the adoption of the "Hatay Declaration", with participating countries emphasizing climate risk mitigation, resilient urban development and stronger international cooperation.