A 19-member delegation of American lawmakers led by Representative Sean Casten from Illinois will travel to Turkey to participate in the annual United Nations climate summit (COP31). This summit will be held from November 9 to 20 in Antalya.
The Diplomatic Role of the American Delegation
Although the United States will not participate in the negotiations of this summit due to its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under Donald Trump, Representative Sean Casten stated that this delegation can play an important diplomatic role. Casten said at a press conference, "We will not be in the majority at that time, but we will be welcomed with an understanding of the new conditions."
Read more: Rescuing Dozens of Orangutans in Indonesia from Forest Fires
Casten referred to global challenges related to climate change and noted that the messages the American delegation will convey to the world are of great importance. He said, "America has spoken, and many of the challenges we face are shared." These challenges include climate refugees and financial fluctuations caused by climate change.
Delegation's Plans and Domestic Challenges
This delegation operates under the auspices of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and its members are set to meet with politicians, civil society groups, and business leaders to explore new opportunities for the re-engagement of the United States in climate, energy, and economic policy.
Additionally, leaders from U.S. states and cities will also travel to Turkey under the "America All In" coalition. Domestically, challenges such as Donald Trump's threat to use veto power have raised questions about the extent of Democrats' achievements in climate policy. However, Casten noted that Trump's tariffs, which have increased the prices of solar panels and electric vehicles, as well as the war with Iran that has led to rising gasoline prices, are major factors contributing to the current inflation.
Casten also referenced the Republican Party's history of supporting certain environmental policies, including cap-and-trade and ozone layer protection, and expressed cautious optimism that these conditions might create opportunities.
Read more: Kuwait Changes Its Position at COP31 · Sayed Badr's Discussion with His Cypriot Counterpart on Regional Developments
