Turkish PM: Climate change a critical issue

JODIE DEAN

Professor Dr Ahmet Davutoğlu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, addressing the G20 Pre-Summit Conference.
Professor Dr Ahmet Davutoğlu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, addressing the G20 Pre-Summit Conference. Photo: Kimberley McCosker

Climate change is the biggest issue facing humanity today, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told a G20 pre-summit conference in Brisbane today.

A keynote speaker at Griffith University’s Strengthening Global Growth pre-summit conference on Friday, Dr Davutoğlu said nations must work together to solve climate issues, as it requires an “ontological” relationship (a more real and wholistic relationship) rather than a political one.

“When it comes to the issue of climate, we should not act as ministers of foreign affairs of nation states, but we should act as ministers of (the) whole of humanity,” he said.

Prime Minister Davutoğlu’s comments are in direct contrast to Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey’s yesterday.

Mr Hockey said while climate change was important, it was not the main focus for this year’s G20.

But Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has vowed climate change will be on Turkey’s G20 agenda.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Josh Frydenberg tweeted this photo of his briefing meeting with Dr Davutoğlu.

Leave a Reply