The 31st Conference of the Parties opens in Antalya, Türkiye, gathering delegates from 196 nations and the European Union to negotiate global climate policies under an implementation-focused agenda.
The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change opens in Antalya, Türkiye. The Mediterranean resort city hosts the 12-day summit through November 20, 2026, as national delegations convene to negotiate climate commitments and financing.
Antalya Prepares a Million-Square-Meter Venue
Türkiye has organized the summit across a total area of approximately 1,100,000 square meters. State leaders, ministers, national delegations, and international organizations will conduct official negotiations within the Blue Zone. Meanwhile, the Green Zone is designed to provide children and youth with practical training on waste reduction, sorting, reuse, and circular economic processes.
Leaders Convene for High-Level Summit
A Leaders’ Summit will take place in the Blue Zone on November 11 and 12, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish officials report that 102 country leaders and more than 300 ministers have confirmed their participation.
The negotiations operate under Türkiye’s vision, the Implementation COP. Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum serves as president-designate. Australia’s Chris Bowen leads the official negotiation process.
Ten Core Priorities Shape the Agenda
Minister Murat Kurum outlined a ten-point action agenda prioritizing practical transformation across multiple sectors.
Çiçek gibi bir köy 🌸 Sıfır Atık Köyü’nde her şey gelecek için dönüşüyor, doğaya dost oluyor, emeği, umudu büyütüyor.#COP31 için Antalya’ya gelenler Solak Köyü’nü görmeden gitmeyin. 💚@turkiyecop31 pic.twitter.com/LX37m0a7aA
The agenda includes zero waste. It features clean energy conversion and electrification, food security, climate-resilient cities, an implementation bridge, green industrialization, youth and education, oceans and seas, Rio synergies, and dynamic and resilient health systems.
The conference venue hosts 160 approved pavilions and 90 delegation office applications. Participation is expected from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the International Energy Agency. In addition, the Green Zone is projected to welcome 1.5 million visitors.
Under the COPArt Project, the entire Antalya COP31 venue functions simultaneously as an open and closed art gallery.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has established a Children’s Activity Village. This is complemented by the Turkish Red Crescent’s Environment and Children-Friendly Mobile TR and the TÜÇA Environment TR stationed in the Green Zone’s Children’s Island.
Accessibility infrastructure, including 35 sign language interpreters, audio guidance, and real-time subtitle support, has been established to ensure equal participation for all attendees.
Catering areas feature Turkish brands, with the majority of products sourced from local and regional producers to support farmers in Antalya and surrounding regions.