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Türkiye will host and preside over the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced Saturday, calling the decision a major diplomatic achievement that reflects Türkiye’s vision for “inclusive climate diplomacy.”
Speaking in Belem, Brazil, at the closing session of the COP30 General Assembly, Kurum said Türkiye secured the hosting rights after a successful five-day negotiation process, which also confirmed Australia as chair of the summit’s negotiation track.
“I hope that the decisions we have taken will already be beneficial to all parties, our region, and the global climate struggle,” Kurum said. “I invite you to our heavenly homeland, Türkiye, the meeting point of humanity, continents, and civilizations.”
Kurum thanked Australia for supporting Türkiye during the process, as well as Azerbaijan and Brazil for mediating negotiations and chairing COP29 and COP30, respectively. The agreement was approved by the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which includes Türkiye.
Minister Kurum emphasized the symbolic and cooperative spirit behind the agreement.
“Today, Australia and Türkiye have taken a very important step toward turning the shared suffering experienced by the Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and the Turks in Canakkale into a means of friendship, cooperation, and service to humanity,” he said. “I hope this major step we have taken with our Australian friends will serve as an example for all humanity.”
Türkiye will officially host and chair COP31, while a Pacific country is expected to host the Pre-COP summit. Türkiye is also preparing to bring together representatives from 196 countries for the main event in November 2026.
The ministry said Antalya is expected to host the core COP31 events due to its experience organizing global summits such as the G20 and its robust accommodation and transport infrastructure. The COP31 Leaders’ Summit is planned to take place in Istanbul.
The ministry described the outcome as “a historic success,” noting that this is the first time Türkiye will host a COP and underscoring that the country’s climate diplomacy promotes “fairer and more inclusive engagement that leaves no country behind.”
Minister Kurum said Türkiye will act as a platform for raising the voices of “all oppressed people who have suffered and been displaced due to the negative impacts of climate change.”
He stressed Türkiye’s readiness to lead and share its experience in multilateral climate diplomacy, citing the country's legislative reforms and green initiatives aimed at meeting its 2053 Net Zero Emissions Target.
“Türkiye, located in the Mediterranean basin, is among the countries deeply experiencing the effects of climate change,” he said. “Although our historical responsibility is far lower than that of developed nations, we continue to implement determined climate actions.”
Kurum highlighted Türkiye’s Climate Law, Zero Waste initiative, circular economy models, and expansion of renewable energy resources as part of its national climate strategy.
The U.N.’s Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Each year, 197 countries convene to set global policy on emission reductions, climate finance, adaptation efforts, loss-and-damage compensation, and carbon market rules.
The first COP summit took place in Berlin, Germany, in 1995.
COP hosting rotates among five U.N. regional groups. The 2023 summit was hosted by Azerbaijan (Eastern European Group), and the 2024 edition by Brazil (Latin America and Caribbean Group). For 2026, the host was to be selected from the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG), which includes Türkiye.
To secure hosting rights, candidate countries must reach a consensus, and if no objection is raised, the decision is finalized. If no agreement is reached, the summit defaults to Bonn, Germany, where the UNFCCC Secretariat is based.
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