The “Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence” COP31 Special Reception brought together senior government officials, international investors and business leaders in Antalya, Türkiye, on the sidelines of COP31 Türkiye. Hosted by the Investment and Finance Office in collaboration with the International Investors Association (YASED), the event marked the Office’s 20th anniversary while highlighting Türkiye’s green transformation and the importance of international investment cooperation in advancing sustainable growth.
Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır delivered the opening remarks, highlighting Türkiye’s industrial transformation and ambitious sustainability targets. Minister Kacır noted that Türkiye’s merchandise exports had increased from USD 36 billion in 2002 to over USD 285 billion, reflecting the country's growing production and export capabilities.
During the reception, Investment and Finance Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu was presented with the “20 Years of Excellence Award,” recognizing the Office’s two decades of contributions to Türkiye’s investment ecosystem. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol also received the “Global Turk 2026 Award,” presented by the Global Turks initiative.
Addressing the participants, Dağlıoğlu emphasized Türkiye’s growing position as a powerhouse for investments and the importance of international partnerships in advancing the green transition. “At a time when the global green transformation is reshaping investment priorities, our goal is to strengthen Türkiye’s position as the nexus of investment, finance and sustainable growth,” he said.
Dağlıoğlu also highlighted that Türkiye supported 94 climate-friendly investment projects between 2022 and 2025, reaffirming the Investment and Finance Office’s commitment to working closely with international investors to attract further sustainable investments and strengthen the country’s green economy.
The event also featured the launch of YASED’s “Green Foreign Direct Investment for a Sustainable Future: Best Practices from Türkiye to the World” initiative. The initiative showcases successful sustainability practices and concrete green investment projects undertaken by international companies operating in Türkiye.
YASED Chairman Ali Fuat Orhonoğlu highlighted the association’s longstanding efforts to improve Türkiye’s business and investment environment since 1980, as well as its continued collaboration with the Investment and Finance Office. Introducing the new report, Orhonoğlu noted that it brings together successful green transformation practices implemented by international investors in Türkiye, with the aim of sharing these experiences with both the Turkish business community and international stakeholders.
The reception reaffirmed the shared commitment of public institutions and international investors to advancing Türkiye’s green transformation, promoting sustainable investment opportunities and strengthening the country’s position as a global destination for high-value-added and climate-friendly investments.