Climate finance, defence ties top PM’s Türkiye agenda

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman leaves for Türkiye tomorrow to attend the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, where Bangladesh will press for increased climate finance, stronger adaptation support and greater accountability from major carbon-emitting countries.
During his two-day visit on Wednesday and Thursday, the prime minister is also expected to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations with Türkiye, focusing on defence, trade, investment, energy and political cooperation.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Ankara said grant-based climate finance for vulnerable countries would be among Bangladesh’s key priorities at the summit. 
Tarique is expected to highlight the need for financial support to address climate-induced losses and damage without pushing vulnerable nations further into debt.
The summit, scheduled to run from 9 to 20 November at the Antalya Expo Centre, will bring together world leaders for high-level discussions on 11 and 12 November. 
The prime minister will attend the high-level sessions on those two days before leaving Türkiye for Dhaka on Thursday.
Dr Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forest and climate change, said Bangladesh would seek increased funding to address climate-induced loss and damage and call for measures to ensure vulnerable countries receive adequate support from the fund.
He said Bangladesh would pursue these demands jointly with other climate-vulnerable nations.
Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said climate change causes annual economic losses of around $15.2 billion in Bangladesh. The country would highlight the scale of the losses at COP31 and seek financial assistance through the loss and damage mechanism.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said the brief visit would offer an important diplomatic platform for Bangladesh to advance its interests in international climate negotiations.
She said Bangladesh would showcase its achievements in climate resilience and adaptation while urging developed countries to fulfil their responsibilities towards the nations most vulnerable to climate change.
Bilateral ties and defence cooperation
A bilateral meeting between Tarique Rahman and Türkiye’s top leadership is also under consideration, although no meeting has yet been confirmed, diplomatic sources said.
The two leaders last met on 22 September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they discussed expanding defence cooperation, trade, investment and broader political and strategic ties.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed interest in developing a broader economic, political and strategic partnership with Bangladesh and invited the prime minister to visit Türkiye. The upcoming visit could provide an opportunity to advance discussions initiated at that meeting.
Diplomatic engagement has gathered pace through several high-level contacts. On 25 September, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. They discussed the prime minister’s participation in COP31, high-level visits, defence cooperation, renewable and green energy, and potential Turkish investment in Bangladesh.
Kobir also invited Türkiye to participate in an international sports conference scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in early 2027.
Earlier, on 27 August, he met Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers' meeting in Jeddah. They discussed the proposed visit and expressed interest in expanding economic and defence cooperation.

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During Fidan’s visit to Dhaka on 6 June, he also paid a courtesy call on Tarique Rahman. The two countries agreed to form a joint committee at the defence and foreign ministerial levels to strengthen cooperation and discussed holding regular foreign minister-level meetings.
Türkiye’s expanding defence industry, military equipment, technology transfer and investment opportunities are emerging as potential areas of cooperation.
Diplomatic sources said the visit could help advance efforts to institutionalise defence cooperation and explore new avenues for economic and energy partnerships.