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COP31 President and Türkiye's Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum called for decisive global action against climate change during the U.N. climate summit in Antalya, urging countries to prioritize measurable progress and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Speaking to CNN International's Becky Anderson at the COP31 venue, Kurum said governments must act on climate commitments rather than delay decisions, emphasizing growing expectations from younger generations.
"The world now has to make decisions. Young people and societies expect this from us," Kurum said, adding that the COP31 presidency would demonstrate its determination to deliver concrete results.
He stressed that countries have different capabilities and priorities but must establish clear targets, warning that climate policies adopted today would shape global development over the next 50 years.
Kurum expressed confidence that fossil fuels would lose their importance as renewable energy becomes increasingly affordable and technological advances accelerate the transition.
"Renewable energy is 50% cheaper. If a cheaper alternative is available, why would people choose the more expensive one?" he said.
He cited falling energy production costs, saying the cost of generating 1,000 megawatts had declined from more than $1 million to $400,000 with renewable energy technologies.
Kurum also pointed to improvements in electric vehicles, noting that their driving range had increased from around 300 kilometers to nearly 1,100 kilometers.
He argued that economic advantages and technological developments would drive the energy transition naturally, without the need to force countries to adopt cleaner alternatives.
The minister highlighted COP31's target of increasing the global electrification rate to 35% by 2035, describing it as a practical step toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
He said expanding electricity use in transportation, industry and manufacturing, alongside cleaner energy production, would help countries achieve measurable reductions in fossil fuel consumption.
While acknowledging the importance of a roadmap for moving away from fossil fuels, Kurum emphasized that achievable targets and concrete implementation should take priority.
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Kurum said the summit's success would be measured by improvements in people's daily lives rather than commitments alone.
He identified higher agricultural yields, stronger urban resilience, greater renewable energy use and improved safety and security as indicators of meaningful progress.
Asked what success would look like at the end of the summit in 10 days, Kurum emphasized the importance of decisions that produce concrete outcomes and lasting benefits.
"We want people to leave here saying: 'Things changed in Antalya. A decision was made in Antalya to reverse the negative course of events,'" he said.
Kurum added that the COP31 presidency would remain focused on its action agenda, measurable targets, and implementation to ensure that international climate commitments translate into tangible results.
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