COP31. Asking countries to abandon fossil fuels "makes no sense" without funding.

During COP31, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar emphasized that urging countries to abandon fossil fuels without financial support or technology is illogical. He highlighted the necessity of accessible financing and technology for energy transition, mentioning discussions with Venezuela on hydrocarbon projects. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced new oil field discoveries in Turkey, aiming for over 100,000 barrels daily by 2027, which drew criticism from environmental groups. Bayraktar also criticized the absence of European leaders, particularly France, at the summit, stressing the need for collective action and political commitment to address climate change.