By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL-Turkiye held its first-ever high-level climate event in Ankara on Monday, entitled “Immersed In Change: Ocean Action and Climate Change” that included diplomatic discussions and collaborations on the environment. The event known as the Blue Talks featured a distinguished panel of speakers that included Turkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Costa Rica’s Ambassador to Turkiye Gustavo Campos Fallas, French Ambassador Isabelle Dumont, David Fernandez Puyana, a permanent observer of the University for Peace to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva along with Bayram Ozturk, a professor from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Aquatic Sciences. Ozturk informed participants about Türkiye’s coastline, seas, ecosystem and marine life, drawing attention to the problems related to climate change in Türkiye.
Bozay said that diplomacy and handling the climate crisis go hand-in-hand and that climate needs a comprehensive approach. He emphasized how crucial it is for all parties to get involved in working to combat the climate crisis in all regions of the world, the Caribbean, East Asia and France. Bozay urged solidarity of nations against climate change and in resolving the most challenging situations related to climate. Fallas highlighted that his nation is collaborating with neighboring countries in ocean conservation, emphasizing that Costa Rica borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Carribean Sea to the east. He said that Costa Rica is doing advanced work in the ocean and urged people to be made aware of how crucial the ocean’s stasis is to humanity and society. Fallas reiterated the absolute necessity of protecting the seas for present and future generations while urging societies to become more involved in discussions and events on climate change. Dumont underscored how crucial Turkiye is for the region, pointing out its major contribution and collaboration with Turkiye on oceans and climate change.
The most immediate scourge to oceans, seas, rivers and lakes worldwide is plastics. Turkish President Erdogan’s wife Emine started the Zero Waste Project that received nationwide recognition at the U.N. and is being ambassador pointed out how successful the Zero Waste Project is in France within a legal framework. Meanwhile, Puyana stressed how crucial security concerns around climate change have become while emphasizing efforts to combat climate change while guaranteeing peace and security and how serious a threat it is. He highlighted the threat climate change poses to global stability, business and a host of other areas. Professor Ozturk informed participants about Türkiye’s coastline, seas, ecosystem and marine life, drawing attention to the problems related to climate change in Türkiye. The Blue Talks will now be held annually, focusing on the significance of ocean resilience to climate change with high-level officials and experts.
Photo : AA
