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Türkiye has officially designated Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum as president of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, formalizing the country's role as host of the major 2026 global summit.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a presidential circular published in the Official Gazette appointing Kurum to lead COP31, along with the 21st session of the Kyoto Protocol Conference of the Parties and the 8th session of the Paris Agreement Conference of the Parties. The appointment grants Kurum authority to direct negotiations and organize the conference, which will take place November 9-20, 2026, at the EXPO grounds in Antalya.
Under the directive, all preparation, organization and implementation processes will be coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. All relevant government institutions and organizations will participate in coordination with the ministry according to guidance from the COP31 president.
The circular establishes that Kurum will allocate necessary authority and task distribution for conducting negotiations and organizing the conference. Budget planning for preparation and execution will be handled by relevant institutions and organizations under presidential directive.
The Conference of the Parties brings together 196 countries annually to address critical climate issues. These gatherings set greenhouse gas reduction targets, adaptation policies, climate finance mechanisms, loss and damage frameworks, and carbon market rules. The sessions also shape implementation rules for the Paris Agreement, the landmark 2015 accord aimed at limiting global temperature rise.
Türkiye conducted a two-year diplomatic campaign led by Kurum to secure COP31 hosting rights, competing with Australia for the role. The process concluded on the fifth day of the COP30 conference in Belem, Brazil, which began November 10.
Following negotiations with Brazil, Azerbaijan and Australia, Kurum announced that Türkiye would host and preside over COP31. The parties also agreed that the preparatory Pre-COP meeting would be held in a Pacific nation under Australian leadership.
A ministry statement emphasized the conference's significance for Türkiye's international visibility and position in climate diplomacy. The country will host the UN's most important climate organization for the first time, positioning itself as a bridge between developing nations and advanced economies in climate negotiations.
Kurum addressed his appointment on social media, writing that he was honored to be named COP president by Erdogan's decision. He described the COP31 hosting role as elevating Türkiye to a decisive position in global climate politics and establishing the country as an actor that charts direction in combating climate change.
The minister expressed confidence that Türkiye's 86 million citizens, along with its political leadership, bureaucracy and civil society, would use this historic opportunity to benefit oppressed regions and the world. Representatives from 197 countries will gather in Antalya to discuss climate crisis commitments, policies and proposed solutions.
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