Turkey has signed a cooperation agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to finance environmental and urban infrastructure, beginning with a €400 million programme for the Sea of Marmara.

A new environmental financing framework

The agreement announced in Istanbul on 4 September places advanced biological wastewater treatment at the centre of the first phase. The investment responds to long-running pressure on the heavily industrialised inland sea, where nutrient pollution has contributed to damaging marine mucilage outbreaks.

Environment Minister Murat Kurum said the wider framework could also support climate and urban projects. AIIB described Turkey as an important investment partner. The programme’s significance will depend on implementation, monitoring and the ability of municipalities to expand treatment capacity.

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