Cyprus participation in COP31 contested by Turkey

Cypriot officials and environmental groups have condemned attempts by Turkey to obstruct the participation of the President of the Republic of Cyprus in the upcoming COP31 climate summit, scheduled to take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20.

During a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs Giorgos Georgiou and Kostas Mavrides accused Ankara of attempting to use the summit to politically promote the secessionist entity in the occupied areas and undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. They called upon European institutions and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat to ensure the uninterrupted participation of Cyprus, respecting its international legal status.

The environmental movement ‘Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation’ emphasized that climate cooperation must be based on equal participation, transparency, and respect for international law. They noted that the Mediterranean region faces heightened vulnerability, including water scarcity, prolonged droughts, and extreme temperatures, making effective climate action and resource management critical for the island.