15.10.2024 İstanbul

Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the World Chambers Federation (WCF) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), stated that they are very concerned about the rise of protectionism that threatens global trade, businesses and especially SMEs, and said, “We believe that the World Trade Organization (WTO) must be reformed so that global trade can remain fair and competitive.”

The Europe and Asia Summit organized by the World Federation of Chambers with the main theme of “Collaborative Approach for Climate Change” started in İstanbul with the participation of Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

Speaking at the opening of the summit hosted by TOBB, which brought together representatives of the international business world with the participation of more than 800 business people from 62 countries, WCF and TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that İstanbul is one of the most important business centers of the world connecting continents.

Stating that the city is the perfect place for the Europe and Asia Summit, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is a privilege for me to host this important event as the newly elected President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation and President of TOBB.”

Stating that the ICC builds bridges between countries through trade and business, ensuring peace and prosperity, Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “In a world where we are facing increasing tensions, such as the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, we must not forget the role of business in promoting stability. We must stand in solidarity with the business community in these regions. It is our greatest hope that the human tragedy in Palestine will end and peace will be achieved in our region, Ukraine and the Middle East as soon as possible.”

- “Free and fair trade is an important priority for ICC and WCF”

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that free and fair trade is an important priority for ICC and WCF and continued his words as follows:

“We are deeply concerned about the rise of protectionism that threatens global trade and businesses, especially SMEs. Recent protectionist trends, particularly in technology, pose risks to global trade. ICC has long supported the World Trade Organization as the foundation of global trade rules. We believe the WTO must be reformed so that global trade remains fair and competitive. 75% of world trade is based on WTO rules, and these rules provide stability and predictability. To meet the challenges of the 21^st century, we must work together to protect and improve these rules. Business must take an active role in supporting these changes.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the chamber network in Türkiye is one of the strongest in the world and gave information about TOBB and the achievements of chambers and exchanges in Türkiye.

- “Together, we can make a big difference in finding solutions to global problems”

WCF and TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the summit held today brought together more than 800 participants from 62 countries, a wide network of chambers, governments and businesses:

“Together, we can make a big difference in finding solutions to global challenges such as climate change and sustainability. Chambers of commerce and industry are a nexus between the private sector, governments and international organizations. With strong public-private partnerships, we can create solutions to the most important challenges of our time. Women play an important role in this process. Women's participation is vital for meaningful climate action. Studies show that a one-unit increase in the Women's Political Empowerment Index leads to a 12 percent reduction in carbon emissions. This demonstrates how effective women's leadership can be. National parliaments with more women are achieving better environmental outcomes by passing stronger climate policies.”

Noting that women are at the forefront of natural resource management and conservation efforts, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that supporting women entrepreneurs will mean more sustainable businesses and the creation of a greener and fairer future.

- “We must establish a cleaner, greener and more nature-friendly business cycle”

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the summit was organized with the main theme of “A Collaborative Approach to Climate Change” and said, “Going forward, this summit is just the beginning. COP29 (29^th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) will be held in Azerbaijan in November 2024. Our summit today is part of this great endeavor. Our discussions and ideas today will contribute to these global goals.”

Stating that they can drive real change under the umbrella of the World Federation of Chambers, Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “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. For this reason, we must establish a cleaner, greener and more compatible life and business cycle with nature.”

- Climate crisis is a big problem

Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, said in his speech: “The climate crisis is now a problem that transforms the entire production and consumption system, makes it difficult to access food, clean water and necessities with the breaks in the supply chain, and radically changes the usual rules in trade and industry.”

Kurum attended the World Chambers Federation (WCF) Europe and Asia Summit hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) at Rixos Tersane İstanbul Hotel.

Wishing the summit to be beneficial for the sectors, Türkiye and the world, Kurum said that everyone who filled the hall has sensitivity and acquis on climate.

Kurum stated that it is still useful to re-state the basic problems that come with the climate crisis that ravages the world, which is a common home.

Stating that the planet is under a greater threat than ever before, Kurum continued:

“The risks associated with the climate crisis are becoming more diversified every day than in the past. Humanity is facing a new destruction, a new existential problem. The floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brazil have not only claimed lives but also caused millions of dollars in losses. Hurricane Milton, which is expected to cause tens of billions of dollars of damage in the US, is another painful example of the magnitude of the problem. The climate crisis is now a problem that is transforming the entire production and consumption system, making it difficult to access food, clean water and necessities through ruptures in the supply chain, and radically changing the conventional rules of trade and industry.”

- “Türkiye has never been a country that idly watches crises”

Kurum stated that Türkiye, which is located in the Mediterranean Basin, feels the negative effects of the climate crisis more and more every day and disasters such as floods, fires and droughts are experienced all over the country.

Stating that lives were lost in the floods in Kastamonu, Sinop, Bartın, Rize, Giresun and Trabzon, in the fires in Antalya, Muğla and finally in İzmir and in many other disasters, Kurum said, “Türkiye has never been a country that idly watches crises, neither its own suffering nor the difficult days of other countries. In the dangers awaiting humanity, it has not been one of those who bury their heads in the sand and ignore the problems. We adopted an openness, transparency and participatory approach while determining climate policies.”

Underlining that they brought all stakeholders together with the Climate Council in 2022, Minister Kurum stated that they drew a new road map with scientists, non-governmental organizations, public institutions, organizations and the private sector.

Stating that in line with the decisions taken here, they have created a basis for the National Contribution Declaration and Climate Law, long-term strategies, mitigation and adaptation strategies, Kurum said, “We have given great importance especially to our companies. Because the private sector means raw material, production and consumption. Each 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 and steel are directly related to climate. Emissions from agriculture affect our food policies. The use of our forests has an important place in our climate policy in terms of increasing sink areas.”

- “The private sector should also provide financing for the transition to a green economy”

Philippe Varin, President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), stated that ICC represents more than 45 million businesses from more than 170 countries and gave information about the activities of the chamber.

Emphasizing that they should fight against climate change in cooperation, Varin said, “We are at such a point in history that what we will do or not do will have great meaning in the future. COP29 will be the most important climate summit. We are working seriously to ensure that the conference produces concrete results.”

Varin noted that the issue of financing is very important for green transformation and transition to a carbon neutral economy and underlined that the private sector should be in the loop as much as governments and states at the point of financing.

Stating that banks should invest in green projects, Varin said that they have already started working with the authorities in Brazil for COP30 at the point of combating climate change.

Noting that there were 800 participants at the summit, Varin said, “We are making the global launch of ICC One Click here. It is such a portal that you do everything here. It helps small companies in particular to 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. As long as they take their place on the international trade map.”

ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton stated that the world must work harder to achieve net zero emissions and hoped that this summit would contribute to the fight against climate change, peace and prosperity.

- About the Summit

At the World Federation of Chambers' Europe and Asia Summit, chambers representing the business world around the world will finalize their views on climate change ahead of the B20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on October 24 and the COP29 Summit in Baku on November 11.

The meeting will discuss the roadmap towards net zero emissions, climate technologies and innovation, and financing climate change. In addition, the first summit of the Women's Network, which became operational within the World Federation of Chambers, will be held.

Panels on “Enhancing Global Collaboration to Accelerate the Transition to Net Zero,” “The Role of Chambers in Driving Global Economic Transformation and Change,” “Using Technology for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy,” and “Improving Climate Finance and Decarbonizing Supply Chains,” are planned to be held at the event.

The WCF Women's Council Meeting on “Women in Chamber Representation,” which will examine the challenges and opportunities women face in leadership roles in chambers, is expected to be held within the scope of the event.

Social events will also be organized to promote Türkiye within the scope of the summit.