COP31 Presidency calls for global push on electrification and climate finance at Copenhagen Climate Ministerial

COP31 Presidency calls for global push on electrification and climate finance at Copenhagen Climate Ministerial

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

COP31 President-Designate, Murat Kurum has called for a coordinated global effort to accelerate electrification, scale up climate finance, and strengthen implementation of national climate roadmaps, during the opening session of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial held on 20 May 2026.

In his keynote address, Kurum said electrification has emerged as a central theme across recent international climate engagements, including meetings in Berlin, Paris, Santa Marta and Baku, and should now become the focus of a broader global conversation on energy transition.

He noted that electricity currently accounts for about 20 percent of final energy consumption globally, stressing the need to significantly increase this share while simultaneously decarbonising electricity generation and expanding access to clean energy technologies across all sectors of society.

Kurum emphasized that the COP31 Presidency’s Action Agenda will prioritise clean energy, clean cooking, resilient cities and industrial decarbonisation as key pillars for delivering measurable climate progress.

He highlighted ongoing collaboration with international partners including the International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Global Renewables Alliance, while stressing that successful climate action requires engagement beyond institutions to include governments, private sector actors and civil society.

The COP31 President-Designate also underscored the importance of creating inclusive platforms under the Global Climate Action Agenda to facilitate dialogue, trust-building and the translation of ideas into practical solutions, while respecting the Party-driven nature of the UN climate process.

On climate finance, Kurum reiterated the need to scale up funding for developing countries, including through mechanisms such as the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap, as well as increased participation from international private-sector actors.

He called for accountability in delivering on the 300-billion-dollar Baku Finance Goal, urging developed countries to clearly outline how they will meet their commitments and ensure predictable financial support for adaptation, resilience and loss and damage.

Kurum also stressed the importance of strengthening multilateral climate funds, including efforts to triple funding by 2030 and secure the upcoming replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.

He further noted the need to anchor national roadmaps within the UN climate framework through Nationally Determined Contributions and Biennial Transparency Reports, describing them as essential to maintaining the integrity of the Paris Agreement system.

Concluding his address, Kurum reiterated that climate promises must translate into action, urging stakeholders to accelerate implementation and move from negotiation to delivery as COP31 advances its agenda.