Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 29 April 2024 - The third day of the Islamic Development Bank Group’s (IsDB) 2024 Annual Meetings was marked by a pivotal dialogue session enriched by the unique perspective of Finance Minister and IsDB Governor for Türkiye, H.E. Dr. Mehmet Şimşek.

A key figure in the discourse, H.E. Minister Şimşek provided a deep dive into Türkiye's strategic initiatives, offering insightful perspectives on regional development, connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.

During the session, Dr. Şimşek shed light on the significant infrastructure project linking Basra to London through Türkiye, underlining its strategic selection of Basra due to geopolitical constraints and its pivotal role in connecting the Middle East to European markets. He painted a hopeful picture: “Good infrastructure is not just a key to development and trade, but also a beacon of hope. By investing in electrified railway infrastructure, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also enhance our competitiveness.”

The discourse also highlighted Türkiye's proactive roles in infrastructure development, climate change mitigation, and fostering economic stability. Dr. Şimşek, addressing climate change, acknowledged the undeniable reality of global warming and stressed Türkiye's commitment to decarbonization efforts and renewable energy investments. “Our aim is clear—to achieve net-zero emissions by 2053. This is not just about environmental sustainability but reducing our economic dependency on imported hydrocarbons and leading the way in global climate change mitigation,” he stated.

Furthermore, Dr. Şimşek addressed the impact of global economic challenges on Türkiye, remarking on the minimal impact they have had on Türkiye's economy. He attributed this to the country's diversified economic structure and robust resilience programs. Furthermore, he lauded the IsDB's role over the past 50 years in facilitating development across member states and expressing hope for continued collaboration. "We have faced more than enough challenges. Our hope is that we move forward and address some of these big issues and minimize them in the region because I believe countries rise together, and they fall together, and we would like to rise together."

Dr. Şimşek's insights at the IsDB meetings reflect a pragmatic yet optimistic approach to Türkiye's path forward amid global economic challenges, highlighting a commitment to infrastructure, renewable energy, and regional collaboration to foster enduring stability and prosperity despite global challenges and geopolitical complexities.

This dialogue is part of IsDB’s commitment to fostering socio-economic development across its member countries, as it marks 50 years of transformative impact and partnership.