COP31 preparation meetings held in Gaziantep

Preparations for the COP31 United Nations Climate Summit, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9–20, 2026, were discussed during the ‘COP31 Türkiye Meetings – Gaziantep’. The event brought together representatives from public institutions, the private sector, and academia to evaluate readiness for the summit, which is expected to involve approximately 200 countries negotiating climate agreements.

Burak Demiralp, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and COP31 Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that green transformation is a critical tool for accessing new markets, increasing financing, and maintaining international competitiveness. He noted that the goal is to convert climate policies into concrete actions through ten priority areas of action.

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin presented the city’s long-term environmental investments, including zero waste initiatives, green transformation in transportation, and waste management projects aimed at increasing urban resilience. Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber also expressed support for the summit, highlighting the city's vision regarding climate and environmental issues.