Global developments · 15 November 2026
Five more countries join COP31 Climate Implementation Bridge
Chile, Mexico, Barbados, Zambia and Lebanon have joined the initiative, which aims to connect climate projects with finance providers, starting with electrification.
Five more countries have joined the COP31 Climate Implementation Bridge, according to a 13 November 2026 announcement from Türkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Announced at the Antalya summit, the expansion broadens an initiative intended to turn national climate commitments into financeable projects by connecting countries seeking investment with funding institutions. [Source](https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/cop31-de-iklim-uygulama-koprusu-projeler-finans-kaynaklari-ile-bulusuyor-307369)
New participants expand the pilot group
COP31 President and Minister Murat Kurum announced the addition of Chile, Mexico, Barbados, Zambia and Lebanon at the “Climate Implementation Bridge: From Commitment to Implementation” meeting. The initial pilot countries were Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The initiative is planned to begin with electrification projects before expanding globally. The ministry’s account links wider recognition of the initiative’s practical effectiveness to results and implementation experience. The newly announced participation expands the country coverage of this implementation-focused framework. Source
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗Turning commitments into investable projects
The Bridge sits within the action pillar of COP31’s “Dialogue, Consensus, Action” approach. It aims to translate Nationally Determined Contributions into investable project portfolios and support fairer access to global financing. Mürsel Akbulut, head of the ministry’s Climate Finance and Incentives Department, said financing needs would be prioritised with countries’ own circumstances in mind. These needs are intended to be matched with providers’ expectations and expertise. The announcement identifies emissions reduction, energy transition, clean transport, industrial decarbonisation and climate adaptation as areas where commitments need to become practical projects. Source
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗Start-ups placed alongside finance institutions
Finance and Trade was the summit’s theme for 13 November. In the Green Zone, the Climate Finance area hosting financial institutions was positioned beside the Start-Up area featuring new projects. Akbulut said this arrangement was intended to improve the visibility of innovative solutions, support entrepreneurs’ motivation and increase financial institutions’ attention to their projects. The aim of bringing project owners and the financial sector together is therefore also reflected in the summit’s physical layout. Source
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗SURFF addresses urban resilience
The Bridge’s cities component includes SURFF, the Sustainable Urban Resilience Financing Facility. Its purpose is to help projects that strengthen cities against climate change and disasters access finance. According to the ministry, it was developed using Türkiye’s reconstruction experience following the 6 February earthquakes. Akbulut highlighted İLBANK’s experience in finance and local-government investment when discussing taking SURFF to a global scale. He also stressed the importance of countries developing financing or regulatory models suited to their own circumstances to sustain implementation over time. Source
Official source: Republic of Türkiye — Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ↗Related news
COP31 first week: Electrification support grows as finance talks continue ↗
Antalya preparations complete for COP31, with implementation and 2035 goals on the agenda ↗
Kurum, Bowen and Stiell hold online talks on COP31 preparations ↗