Wind at the centre of COP31: GWEC and Turkish Wind Energy Association join forces

• COP31 in Türkiye can be an historic crossroads in the energy transition, say industry leaders
• Global Wind Energy Council and Turkish Wind Energy Association agree joint partnership
• Wind industry ready to heed the United Nations' call to 'unleash the renewables revolution'

13 May 2026, Ankara | Mobilising investment into wind power and renewables is the answer to twin climate and energy crises engulfing the world, say the leaders of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB) in a joint statement issued today.

Announcing a new formal partnership following the conclusion of the 15^th Turkish Wind Energy Congress in Ankara, GWEC and TÜREB set out how governments and industry can respond to a call by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to "unleash the renewables revolution".

"Securing international agreement behind an ambitious global plan to accelerate wind power and other renewables should be the number one priority for all governments attending the COP31 summit," said Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, and İbrahim Erden, Chairman of TÜREB.

"With the world facing unprecedented climate and energy security crises, our two organisations, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB), are combining forces to ensure wind energy is recognised at COP31 as a central pillar of the renewables and electrification transition and the response to climate change.

"We believe that Türkiye's hosting of COP31 can be an historic crossroads in the energy transition. Türkiye is where Europe and Asia meet, providing a bridge between West and East. So too can COP31 be the bridge between the world's past and its future, where calls to address the twin challenges of climate change and energy insecurity are met with real solutions and unstoppable momentum," they said.

The Government of Türkiye will host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya between 9-20 November 2026, under a partnership with the Government of Australia. Ahead of the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres in April 2026 called for governments to "respond to the energy crisis without deepening the climate crisis", as he urged increased renewable energy investment, which in 2025 reached $2.2 trillion. "We can repeat the failures of the past - or we can unleash the renewables revolution," he said.

With almost 16 GW installed, Türkiye is in the top 10 countries for wind power globally. Last year, the wind industry in Turkey added 2.1 GW of new capacity, the second highest in the European continent, according to GWEC's 2026 Global Wind Reportⁱⁱ.

The Turkish government is targeting 120 GW of combined wind and solar by 2035, requiring $80 billion in investment, supported by regular auctions delivering at least 2 GW of new renewables per year. Recent announcements from officials indicate this target may be increased in the coming months, with a highly ambitious wind sector ready to support further development.

Continuing their joint statement, Mr Backwell and Mr Erden said: "Türkiye has made significant progress in its renewables journey in recent years, powered by strong growth in wind power. The country's strategic position and strong relationships across Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe mean Türkiye has a pivotal role in accelerating electrification and the development and transmission of renewable energy throughout the wider region.

"The wind industry is committed to supporting Türkiye and neighbouring governments to deliver sustained growth and tackle barriers to deployment, including building out grid and transmission networks, and mobilising sustained investment. That's why we are working jointly together to share knowledge and best practices and ensure COP31 has a lasting legacy."

Under the memorandum of understanding signed at the 15^th Turkish Wind Energy Congress in Ankara by GWEC and TÜREB, the two industry associations have agreed to work together to mobilise a cross-sectoral advocacy coalition, support information exchange, organise joint advocacy events and interventions, and engage with the COP31 Presidency and key Turkish institutional stakeholders on behalf of Turkish and global wind industries.