Türkiye opens COP31 in Antalya as first-time host

Türkiye officially opened the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) on Monday in Antalya, marking the first time the country has hosted the world’s most important climate gathering.

Chaired by Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum on the instruction of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the 12-day conference brings together 196 countries and the European Union.

Kurum took the helm from COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago at the opening plenary in the Blue Zone’s Anatolia Hall, formally launching Türkiye’s yearlong term. 

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, who leads the negotiations, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chair Jim Skea and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell also attended.

In his opening speech, Kurum urged a joint fight for the world’s common future, stressing the importance of a zero-waste approach in combating global warming and describing it as one of the key items on the COP31 Action Agenda.

According to Kurum’s ministry, participants from six continents are expected, with 95 heads of state and government and seven international organizations taking part at the highest level. Erdogan will host the Leaders Summit in the Blue Zone on Nov. 11-12.

Food security, agriculture, water efficiency and the health effects of climate change top the agenda for the first day. 

Official delegates can also tour museums and archaeological sites in Antalya under the Culture and Tourism Ministry free of charge throughout the event.

Long queues formed at the entrances to the Blue and Green zones as security checks got underway, with 27,957 police, gendarmerie and coast guard personnel deployed across the city. 

Another 550 health workers stand ready at five on-site infirmaries, while fully equipped ambulances offer round-the-clock emergency care.

Meeting every year since 1995, the Conference of the Parties serves as the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, where governments assess progress and negotiate global climate action. Its 21st session in 2015 produced the landmark Paris Agreement, while Antalya now hosts the 31st edition.