Palestinian PM Mustafa attends COP31 climate summit opening in Türkiye

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa attended the opening of a world leaders' climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Mustafa attended on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, as the summit forms part of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP31.

The opening session drew a number of world leaders, heads of government and senior officials, the office said.

On the sidelines of the summit, Mustafa will meet officials and representatives of countries and international organizations, the office said.

The talks will cover what the office called the environmental consequences of Israeli occupation violations against Palestine, along with the extensive damage Israeli aggression has caused to infrastructure, facilities and public utilities.

The meetings will also examine the impact of that damage on natural resources and vital sectors, the office said.

Mustafa's team also plans to seek international support for renewable energy, sustainable development and environmental protection projects, the office said.

The office added that the meetings aim to strengthen Palestine's ability to deal with the effects of climate change.

The summit is held under the theme "Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future" and will discuss stronger international action on climate change.

Participants will also address faster implementation of climate commitments, greater international cooperation, climate finance and support for the countries and communities hit hardest by climate change.

Mustafa is accompanied by Palestine's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to Türkiye Nasri Abu Jaish, and Head of the Environment Quality Authority Zaghloul Samhan.

The UN climate conferences bring governments together each year to negotiate ways to limit global warming and help communities cope with its effects.