Pof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, met with Mathilde Laurans, Deputy Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, and Program Manager Jihyea Kim at the Directorate of Climate Change.
the meeting focused on strategic discussions regarding the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, one of the most signi?cant climate nance mechanisms established to support countries facing the adverse impacts of climate change. Discussions also addressed improving access to climate ?nance and strengthening implementation processes ahead of COP31. Welcoming the delegation, Director Hasar emphasized that COP31 will represent a critical milestone in advancing the Fund from institutional design to practical implementation on the ground. Describing the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund as a historic achievement of the multilateral climate process, Hasar noted that the consensus reached during the opening day of COP28 played a vital role in building con?dence among parties. ‘The Fund is one of the most important instruments for strengthening international solidarity with countries confronting the destructive impacts of climate change,’ he stated. Director Hasar further stressed that one of the core challenges in climate ?nance remains the timely and effective access to resources. He underlined that the long-term success of the Fund depends on the availability of adequate, predictable, and sustainable ?nancing mechanisms. ‘Under Trkiye’s COP31 Presidency vision, we are committed to supporting a transparent, rapid, and t-for-purpose access framework for the Fund,’ Hasar said. ‘We aim to ensure that COP31 delivers tangible outcomes for those most in need.’ He also reaf?rmed Trkiye’s constructive and inclusive engagement throughout the Bonn climate negotiations, the Pre-COP process, and the Fund’s Board discussions. Referring to the devastating February 6 earthquakes in Trkiye, described nationally as the ‘Disaster of the Century,’ Hasar highlighted the universal nature of climate-related and disaster risks