COP31 Interfaith Dialogue: BLIA Explores Climate Resilience Through the Spirit of the Four Givings

By Pu Da and Rong Feng | Antalya, Türkiye

During the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), representatives of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) attended an interfaith side event on November 11 titled “Sacred Trust, Local Action: Bridging Faith, Climate and Community-Led Resilience.” The event was jointly organized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Islamic Relief Worldwide, and Religions for Peace. BLIA representatives engaged with participants from diverse faith traditions and international humanitarian organizations to explore how trust, interfaith cooperation, and local community participation can advance climate adaptation, strengthen community resilience, and promote human well-being and environmental sustainability.

The event opened with Dr. Frances Kuria, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, introducing the “Shared Sacred Flourishing” framework. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among different faith traditions to advance collective human well-being, while empowering local communities to make their own decisions so that climate action responds to their actual needs. Dr. Osman Al-Bari, Head of Islamic Relief Worldwide Türkiye Regional Office, highlighted that climate resilience depends on building trust, ensuring that local communities have access to resources and decision-making authority, and recognizing the importance of women's and young people's participation.

During the panel discussion, representatives of the Lutheran World Federation and affiliated churches from Iraq, Syria, and the Palestinian territories shared the challenges facing the Middle East, including water scarcity, climate change, and conflict. They introduced local initiatives such as solar powered electricity generation, wastewater recycling, environmental education, and green vocational training aimed at strengthening communities' capacity to adapt to climate change. The panelists emphasized that climate action is not merely an environmental issue but also a matter of justice, human dignity, and intergenerational responsibility. They stressed the importance of involving local communities in developing solutions that address their specific needs.

Building on the discussion of trust, community care, and collective action, Kwong Djee Chan, Vice Committee Director of the BLIA World Headquarters Lay Dharma Lecturer/Teacher Fellowship Committee, shared his perspective during the question-and-answer session. He noted that BLIA is among the few Buddhist organizations participating in COP31. For the past 34 years, BLIA has upheld the principles of Humanistic Buddhism advocated by its founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, promoting compassion, interconnectedness, and collective responsibility with the Four Givings as the guiding principles for practice, which closely align with the values discussed at the side event.

Chan used this connection to ask the panelists how the spirit of the Four Givings could be incorporated into their daily work in supporting communities facing hardship. He further asked what gives them the strength to sustain their faith, hope, and commitment in the face of difficult challenges.