At the UNEP FI Global Roundtable 2026 in London, the Turkish Insurance Association brought attention to the insurance sector’s growing importance in climate action, disaster resilience and sustainable development. Speaking during the “From Belém to Antalya” session, Secretary-General Özgür Obalı presented the sector not only as a provider of risk coverage, but also as a strategic actor capable of supporting societies and economies through the climate transition.
The discussion was held within the framework of the COP31 process and its “Dialogue, Consensus and Action” vision. In this context, participants examined how finance and insurance can contribute more effectively to addressing climate-related challenges, while also helping communities strengthen their preparedness for increasingly complex environmental and disaster risks.
Insurance Framed as a Strategic Climate Stakeholder
During his remarks, Obalı underlined that insurance should be viewed as more than a traditional risk transfer mechanism. He stressed that the sector has a broader responsibility in combating climate change, reducing disaster risks and reinforcing sustainable development objectives through long-term planning, protection tools and support for resilience-oriented policies.
The session also explored several interconnected priorities, including the management of climate risks, the improvement of social and economic resilience against disasters, the development of sustainable financing models and the role of insurance in enabling a smoother transition to a more sustainable economy. These themes positioned the sector as an active contributor to both prevention and recovery efforts.
Turkish Insurance Association Signals Continued International Engagement
The Turkish Insurance Association reaffirmed its commitment to participating in international sustainability and climate finance platforms. By sharing the Turkish insurance sector’s experience and institutional knowledge, the Association aims to support joint solution mechanisms and deepen cross-border cooperation on global environmental and financial challenges.
Through its continued international engagement, the Association seeks to strengthen the contribution of Turkish insurance to global sustainability efforts while encouraging collaborative responses to climate and disaster-related risks.
