ANKARA (June 26, 2026) — Türkiye's Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change has formally joined the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC), affirming its endorsement of the Déclaration de Chaillot and its commitment to climate action in the buildings and construction sector. By joining the ICBC, Türkiye also becomes a member of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC).
The Déclaration de Chaillot was adopted in March 2024 by 70 countries at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris and established the ICBC as its delivery mechanism. Officially institutionalised at COP29, the Council is currently led by a Troika of France, Brazil and Kenya, and brings governments together to accelerate decarbonisation and climate resilience in the buildings sector. Buildings and construction account for 37 per cent of global carbon emissions, according to the latest Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2025-2026(UNEP, 2026), making the sector a critical lever for climate action.
Mr. Hasan Suver, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, will represent Türkiye in ICBC Ministerial level Meetings where possible while Ms. Banu Aslan, Director General of Professional Services, has been designated as senior-level representative for the country.
Türkiye's accession builds on a strong collaboration with GlobalABC that has grown substantially this year. As COP31 Presidency, Türkiye's Bonn announcements set out 2035 targets to cut buildings sector energy intensity by at least 25 per cent as part of its Resilient Cities agenda, alongside economy-wide targets on electrification and waste, putting buildings squarely on the Presidency's agenda. Türkiye and GlobalABC are also co-organising the COP31 International Sustainable Buildings Competition, launched at London Climate Action Week 2026, bringing together the YeS Honor Awards and World Championship for Energy Savings to recognise outstanding sustainable building practices, culminating with an award ceremony during COP31 in Antalya this November.
About the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change of Türkiye
The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change (Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı) is the official government body in Türkiye responsible for environmental protection, public infrastructure, and urban development.
About the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate
Established under the Déclaration de Chaillot and coordinated by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) Secretariat, hosted by UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) brings national governments together to accelerate decarbonisation and climate resilience in the buildings and construction sector. Officially institutionalised at COP29, the Council is currently led by a Troika of France, Brazil and Kenya.
About the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction
Founded at COP21, with its secretariat hosted by UNEP, the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction is the leading global platform for all built environment stakeholders committed to a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. GlobalABC serves as a global advocate and catalyst for action, tracking sectoral progress, developing policy guidance and regional roadmaps to support countries in advancing their climate commitments, while facilitating private sector transition. GlobalABC has over 400 member organisations, including 72 national governments.
