President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked 11 November National Afforestation Day with a message emphasizing Türkiye's commitment to environmental protection and climate action, saying that millions of seeds and saplings are being planted across the country while Antalya hosts the United Nations COP31 Leaders' Summit.

In a statement shared on his social media account, Erdoğan wished that National Afforestation Day would bring blessings to Türkiye, its people and the environment.

Drawing attention to the coincidence of the nationwide afforestation campaign and the COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya, Erdoğan said the two events reflect Türkiye's determination to strengthen both environmental awareness at home and international cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.

"Millions of seeds and saplings are meeting the soil"

Referring to the climate summit hosted by Türkiye, Erdoğan stressed the importance of global solidarity in tackling climate change.

"We wish our 11 November National Afforestation Day will bring blessings to our country, our nation and our environment. Today, while hosting the United Nations COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya to strengthen our global solidarity against the climate crisis, we are also bringing millions of seeds and saplings together with the soil across our country under the slogan 'Breath for the Future, Peace for the World,'" Erdoğan said.

The president also thanked all citizens who took part in tree-planting events across the country, expressing his appreciation to those who gathered at planting sites and contributed to the nationwide afforestation campaign.

Nationwide campaign coincides with COP31

National Afforestation Day is being observed with simultaneous tree-planting activities across Türkiye, while world leaders are gathering in Antalya for the COP31 Leaders' Summit. As part of the summit programme, leaders are also participating in a symbolic olive sapling planting ceremony, highlighting the links between climate action, environmental protection and international cooperation.

The annual campaign aims to expand forested areas, increase environmental awareness and encourage broader public participation in afforestation efforts as Türkiye continues its initiatives to combat climate change and promote sustainable environmental policies.(ILKHA)