Turkey to host COP31 climate summit in Antalya

Turkey has confirmed it will host the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced the plans during high-level meetings at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

The summit aims to shift the global focus from setting climate objectives to implementing concrete, measurable actions. Key discussion topics will include climate finance, technological adaptation, investment needs, and the transition to renewable energy. President Erdogan emphasized that climate policies must harmonize with the social and economic realities of individual nations, noting that disparities in finance and technology make it unrealistic for all countries to progress at the same pace.

Minister Kurum outlined a strategic agenda involving 10 priority themes and several global objectives. Turkey has set specific targets for 2035, including increasing the share of electricity in final energy consumption to 35 percent, improving waste management, recycling, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The agenda also covers resilient cities, ocean and sea protection, food security, and sustainable healthcare systems.