The Europe and Asia Summit, hosted by TOBB and organized with the main theme of "Collaborative Approach for Climate Change" by the World Chambers Federation, brought together representatives of the international business world. Speaking at the opening of the Summit, T.C. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum stated that the risks brought by the climate crisis are diversifying day by day compared to past periods, and humanity is facing a new existential problem.
The Europe and Asia Summit, organized with the main theme of "Collaborative Approach for Climate Change" by the World Chambers Federation, took place in Istanbul on October 15, 2024.
The summit, hosted by M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey and President of WCF, and attended by Ömer Karadeniz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Plastics Industrialists Federation, also featured Philippe Varin, President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and John W.H. Denton, Secretary General of ICC.
The Opening of the World Chambers Federation (WCF) Europe and Asia Summit was held with the participation of WCF President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and T.C. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum.
Speaking at the opening of the summit, which was followed by more than 800 business people from 62 countries, T.C. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said that he wished the summit would lead to beneficial outcomes for sectors, Turkey, and the world. He stated that everyone in the hall had sensitivity and knowledge regarding climate issues. Kurum added that he still found it beneficial to reiterate the fundamental problems caused by the climate crisis that is ravaging our shared home, the world.
Emphasizing that the planet is under a greater threat than ever before, Kurum said, "The risks brought by the climate crisis are diversifying day by day compared to past periods. Humanity is facing a new destruction, a new existential problem. For instance, the floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brazil caused millions of dollars in losses in addition to loss of life. Hurricane Milton, expected to cause tens of billions of dollars in damage in the US, is another painful example demonstrating the magnitude of the problem. The climate crisis is now a problem that transforms the entire production and consumption system, makes access to food, clean water, and necessities difficult due to disruptions in the supply chain, and fundamentally changes conventional rules in trade and industry."
Minister Kurum underlined that they brought all stakeholders together with the Climate Council in 2022 and stated that they drew a new roadmap with scientists, non-governmental organizations, public institutions, and the private sector.
Kurum stated that in line with the decisions taken here, they formed a basis for the National Contribution Statement and Climate Law, long-term strategies, mitigation, and adaptation strategies, and particularly emphasized the importance of companies. Kurum stated that the private sector means raw material, production, and consumption, adding, “Every production and consumption process directly affects the climate. For example, greenhouse gases mostly originate from energy production. Sectors using fossil fuels, such as cement and iron-steel, are directly related to the climate. Emissions from agriculture affect our food policies. The use of our forests holds an important place in our climate policy in terms of increasing carbon sinks."
Hisarcıklıoğlu: “Global trade threatens SMEs”
TOBB and WCF President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech at the opening of the summit, expressed great concern about the rise of protectionism threatening global trade, businesses, and especially SMEs. Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that "we believe the World Trade Organization (WTO) needs to be reformed so that global trade can remain fair and competitive," highlighted that Istanbul is one of the world's most important business centers connecting continents.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the city is an excellent location for the Europe and Asia Summit, adding, "As the newly elected President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation and President of TOBB, it is a privilege for me to host this important event." Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed that ICC ensures peace and prosperity by building bridges between countries through trade and the business world, and added, "In a world facing increasing tensions such as the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, we must not forget the role of the business world in promoting stability. We must stand in solidarity with the business community in these regions. Our greatest wish is for the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine to end and for peace to be established as soon as possible in our region, Ukraine, and the Middle East."
"We must establish a business cycle more in harmony with nature"
Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that the summit was organized with the main theme of "Collaborative Approach for Climate Change," emphasized that this summit is just a beginning for the future. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan in November 2024 and stressed that today's summit is part of this greater effort and that today's discussions will contribute to global goals.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they can drive real change under the umbrella of the World Chambers Federation, saying, "Let us commit to sustainable development, strengthen our partnerships, and build a global economy where climate action and business success work together. The future is in our hands. We only have one world to live in. Therefore, we must establish a cleaner, greener, and more harmonious life and business cycle with nature."
"The private sector must also provide financing for the green economy"
Philippe Varin, President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), also spoke at the summit, stating that the ICC represents over 45 million businesses from more than 170 countries, and provided information about the chamber's activities. Emphasizing the need to combat climate change through cooperation, Varin said, "We are at such a point in history that what we do or don't do will have great significance for the future. COP29 will go down in history as the most important climate summit. We are working diligently for the conference to yield concrete results."
Varin noted that the issue of financing for green transformation and the transition to a carbon-neutral economy is very important, underlining that the private sector, as much as governments and states, should be involved in financing. Varin stated that banks should invest in green projects and explained that they have already started working with authorities in Brazil for COP30 in the fight against climate change.
Varin noted that there are 800 participants at the summit and said, "We are globally launching ICC One Click here. It's a portal where you do everything. It especially helps small companies access ICC rules, tools, and services. One Click will provide small companies with a step-by-step guide; we will give them all our content. All they need to do is take their place on the international trade map."
Following the opening speech, a cooperation agreement was signed between the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Board and the Women Entrepreneurs Council of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce to develop joint projects and share experiences.
Ömer Karadeniz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Plastics Industrialists Federation, also took part in the Europe and Asia Summit, which was hosted by TOBB and organized with the main theme of "Collaborative Approach for Climate Change" by the World Chambers Federation.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.