The ‘First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels’ convened in Santa Marta, Colombia, bringing together global leaders and stakeholders to advance international cooperation on climate action and energy transition. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference was attended by representatives from 57 countries, along with delegates from local governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia. Representing Trkiye at the event, Mehrali Ecer, Deputy Director of Climate Change, participated in the high-level segment alongside an accompanying delegation. Addressing the opening session, Ecer emphasized that Trkiye will guide its COP31 Presidency under the core principles of ‘dialogue, consensus, and action.’ He further highlighted that COP31 would prioritize implementationdriven outcomes, focusing on transforming high-level climate commitments into concrete and measurable actions.
throughout the conference, thematic sessions addressed key issues including energy security, the gradual phase-down of fossil fuel production, economic transformation, and strengthening international cooperation in support of a just energy transition.
in his remarks, Hasar described COP31 as the ‘COP of Implementation,’ emphasizing that the summit will focus on transforming commitments into measurable outcomes. He stated that Trkiye aims to position COP31 as a bridge-building platform that strengthens trust, deepens international partnerships, and delivers practical solutions across sectors. He further stressed that adaptation efforts worldwide remain insuf?cient due to ?nancing gaps, limited implementation capacity, and disconnects between policy frameworks and realities on the ground. According to Hasar, COP31 must become the turning point that moves the international community ‘from commitment to implementation, and from rhetoric to action.’ The outcomes of the Istanbul International Water Forum are expected to contribute to the upcoming UN Water Conference later this year, as well as the 11th World Water Forum and the 20th IWRA World Water Congress, both scheduled to take place in Istanbul in 202