Antalya prepares infrastructure and local cuisine for COP31 summit

Preparations are accelerating in Antalya, Turkey, for the COP31 climate summit, scheduled to take place from November 9 to 20. The event will be hosted at the former EXPO 2016 Antalya site, which has been renamed the ‘COP31 Area’.

Significant infrastructure improvements have been completed to support the summit, including the opening of a 38-kilometer stretch of the Belek Tourism Road. This project involved renewing over 21 kilometers of main arteries and constructing 12 connection roads to link hotels to major routes. Officials, including Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, noted that these upgrades are intended to serve both the summit and the local population and tourism sector long-term.

In addition to infrastructure, the summit will feature a cultural component. Local culinary specialties, such as Antalya piyazı and various fish dishes, will be showcased to an expected 100 to 150 thousand visitors and over 100 heads of state. These food offerings will be presented under a ‘Zero Waste Kitchen’ concept to align with environmental goals.