WorldPosted at: Nov 11 2026 7:20PM


Not just genocide: Erdogan says Gaza is also facing environmental catastrophe

Antalya, Nov 11 (UNI) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that Gaza is facing not only the devastation of war but also a severe environmental catastrophe, with centuries-old olive trees destroyed, water sources polluted and entire cities reduced to rubble.
Addressing the opening session of the Leaders' Summit of the 31st Conference of Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Antalya, Erdoğan said the environmental destruction in Gaza had added another dimension to the humanitarian crisis.
"As I emphasised in my address to the UN General Assembly, what is happening in Gaza is not just a genocide, but also an environmental catastrophe. Centuries-old olive trees have been cut down, the soil has been polluted, the water contaminated, and cities have been turned into massive piles of rubble," he said.
Expressing concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, Erdoğan said recent heavy rainfall and flooding had submerged thousands of tents and temporary shelters in Gaza, leaving tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians exposed to harsh winter conditions.
He said hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, particularly children, were struggling to survive without proper shelter, adequate protection or essential facilities.
"Humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter the region immediately. This policy of isolation must end. This oppression and cruelty must come to an end," he said, calling for urgent international action.
Erdoğan also said the international community could not escape its responsibility for the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
Turning to the climate crisis, the Turkish President warned that humanity was facing an unprecedented environmental challenge driven partly by excessive consumption and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
"As humanity, we have only one roof over our heads: the sky. We have only one garden: the earth. We do not have another sky, another earth, another sea, another ocean or another forest," he said.
He highlighted the growing threats posed by global warming, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, food insecurity and extreme weather events, stressing that no country was immune to the consequences of climate change.
Erdoğan said that although significant progress had been made since the first COP conference 31 years ago, implementation of climate commitments remained a major challenge.
"Every minute we fail to meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement, the risks and costs we face increase," he said, adding that Türkiye wanted COP31 to become a practical model for future climate conferences.
He thanked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Brazil and Azerbaijan for their support and cooperation in organising the conference.
Highlighting Türkiye's climate commitments, Erdoğan said the country was pursuing its Green Development strategy with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2053.
He said efforts were underway to transform the energy, industrial, transport and agricultural sectors through decarbonisation and green technologies. Türkiye's national recycling rate, which stood at around 13 per cent when the Zero Waste initiative was launched in 2017, was projected to reach nearly 40 per cent by the end of 2025, he added.
Erdoğan also called for greater climate financing and technology support for developing countries, particularly least-developed nations and small island states. He said developed countries, which had historically consumed a large share of the global carbon budget, should shoulder greater responsibility for emissions reduction and climate financing.
Türkiye has identified 10 priority areas for COP31, including clean energy transition, zero waste, food security, industrial development, climate-resilient cities and ocean protection.
"We must leave future generations a cleaner, greener and fairer world before the planet becomes an uninhabitable place," Erdoğan said.
The COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya is aimed at strengthening international cooperation and accelerating practical action against climate change.UNI AAB
Tags: #Not just genocide: Erdogan says Gaza is also facing environmental catastrophe
More News

Russia, Ukraine agree to large-scale prisoner exchange post US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi

11 Nov 2026 | 7:46 PM

Abu Dhabi, Nov 11 (UNI) Ukraine and Russia have agreed in principle to a large-scale prisoner exchange following two days of US-mediated negotiations in Abu Dhabi, but the talks ended without a breakthrough on a ceasefire or the territorial disputes underpinning the war.

see more..

US Army officer arrested in UK on Russia-linked espionage suspicions; Kremlin denies involvement

11 Nov 2026 | 7:34 PM

London, Nov 11 (UNI) A 41-year-old US Army soldier has been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of espionage linked to Russia, London's Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday.

see more..

Ebola cases in DR Congo cross 11,000 with 5,387 deaths

11 Nov 2026 | 7:26 PM

Kinshasa, Nov 11 (UNI) The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 11,042, with at least 5,387 deaths, according to government figures.

see more..

Not just genocide: Erdogan says Gaza is also facing environmental catastrophe

11 Nov 2026 | 7:20 PM

Antalya, Nov 11 (UNI) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that Gaza is facing not only the devastation of war but also a severe environmental catastrophe, with centuries-old olive trees destroyed, water sources polluted and entire cities reduced to rubble.

see more..

Rubio says US has no immediate need for major military operations against Iran, cites economic pressure

11 Nov 2026 | 6:56 PM

Washington, Nov 11 (UNI) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington currently sees no need for major military operations against Iran, arguing that an economic campaign involving sanctions and a naval blockade is inflicting severe damage on the Iranian economy.

see more..