The Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) initiative, developed by Türkiye’s COP31 presidency together with the United Nations Development Programme, has expanded to 10 countries. COP31 President and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum made the announcement in Antalya on Friday.
The initiative was launched in September during Climate Week in New York with five pilot countries—Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia and Pakistan. Chile, Mexico, Barbados, Zambia and Lebanon have now joined them.
The video shows Kurum speaking at the “Climate Implementation Bridge: From Commitments to Implementation” program in the Lycia Hall.
Türkiye to provide its own funding
“Leadership gains meaning when responsibility is assumed first. Türkiye will provide financial support for BRIDGE’s initial projects. The memorandum of understanding we will sign with the UNDP will be a concrete expression of this resolve,” Kurum said. He added that a steering committee had been established and that the initiative’s continuity would be ensured together with the COP32 presidency.

According to the COP31 presidency, BRIDGE does not create a new fund. The initiative works with the NDC Partnership, the UNDP, multilateral development banks and climate funds, helping countries turn their national climate goals into projects ready for financing. Kurum cited UN data showing that damage from natural disasters costs the global economy more than $2.3 trillion annually.
Video and photos: Anadolu