UN Climate Chief and Türkiye’s COP31 President-Designate Outline Vision Ahead of November Climate Conference

In Istanbul on 12 February, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum addressed national and international media to discuss preparations for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026.

The press briefing followed strategic discussions involving the COP31 Presidency, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and representatives of current and previous COP presidencies. Journalists from both Turkish and international media attended the session.

“Climate Action Can Deliver Stability”

Stiell highlighted the urgent need for global cooperation amid what he described as a period of instability. “But climate action can deliver stability in an unstable world,” he said. “In the face of the current chaos, we can, and must, drive forward a new era of international climate cooperation.”

Kurum emphasized that COP31 is more than a conference, outlining Türkiye’s guiding principles: Dialogue, not a single voice; Consensus, not division; Action, not stagnation. He promised that a strong, structured action agenda would be announced in March and stressed that the COP31 Presidency would ensure an inclusive and impartial approach, leaving no voice unheard.

Global Collaboration Highlighted

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy and COP31 President of Negotiations, Chris Bowen, joined via video from Canberra, underlining the importance of collaboration among COP presidencies. He described the partnership between Australia, Türkiye, and Pacific nations as “a unique and innovative model” and called for COP31 to act as a bridge between developed and developing countries during a critical decade for climate action. Bowen noted that while progress has been made since the Paris Agreement, “much more work remains to protect climate-vulnerable countries and accelerate implementation.”

Antalya Set to Host COP31

COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago, attending the Istanbul meetings, praised the venues planned for Antalya, describing the location as highly promising for the upcoming conference.

Speakers collectively highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation, and ensuring that climate action is supported by investment, finance, and broad participation from governments, businesses, and civil society.

COP31 is expected to bring together governments, international organizations, businesses, and civil society to advance global climate action and the implementation of commitments under the Paris Agreement.