Closing The Climate Divide: Türki̇ye’s Cop31 Presidency As a Catalyst For Africa’s Just Transition

Türkiye’s COP31 presidency arrives at a moment when the climate divide between developed and developing regions is widening rather than narrowing. Located at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Türkiye is positioned to use its diplomatic outreach capacity to amplify Africa’s voice in global climate negotiations. A just transition for Africa, grounded in equitable access to finance, technology, and renewable energy, remains central to the realisation of global climate justice. Persistent gaps in capacity, investment, and representation, however, leave the continent at risk of being left behind. Türkiye’s presidency can help narrow this gap by strengthening South-South cooperation and supporting African-led climate finance mechanisms. By shaping its COP31 presidency in alignment with African priorities, Türkiye can help transform the summit from a stage for abstract commitments into a platform on which concrete cooperation mechanisms are developed. This process offers Türkiye the opportunity to translate its middle-power diplomacy into a more visible, results-oriented contribution to climate justice, development, and the strengthening of Africa’s representation in global climate governance.