The President-designate of the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 31) announced the Turkish Presidency’s intention to find “common ground to build a safer world and a more secure global economy for humanity as climate impacts rapidly worsen.” Under the Troika approach, the Presidency is working in close cooperation with Azerbaijan (COP 29 Presidency) and Brazil (COP 30 Presidency).
In a letter dated 13 April 2026, COP 31 President-designate Murat Kurum outlines “a new model of cooperation,” under which Türkiye will hold the COP 31 Presidency, host COP 31, including its World Leaders’ Summit, and lead the Action Agenda. Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, appointed under the Türkiye-Australia Partnership Modalities as President of Negotiations, “will have exclusive authority in leading the… negotiations, in consultation with Türkiye.” According to the letter, this arrangement is “based on a shared purpose, sincere cooperation, and a determination to deliver strong and practical results for the world….”
The letter notes that the Pre-COP meeting will be held in Fiji from 5-8 October 2026, and a leaders’ event will convene in Tuvalu, both contributing to “reflecting diverse perspectives in an inclusive manner.”
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The World Leaders’ Summit, to be held in Antalya from 11-12 November, will serve as a platform “for leaders to announce new, concrete, and implementable climate commitments and to launch initiatives that address key gaps and will support positive outcomes in the negotiations.”
In an effort to realize a “COP of the Future,” the Presidency will rely on the principles of dialogue, consensus, and action. It will focus on the following key areas:
- Strengthening the zero waste and circular economy approach;
- Accelerating the clean energy transition;
- Supporting green and low-carbon industrialization;
- Increasing the resilience of vulnerable regions, oceans, and seas;
- Supporting food security and developing sustainable agricultural systems;
- Promoting climate-resilient and sustainable cities;
- Strengthening financial and institutional mechanisms that support climate action;
- Increasing the active participation of youth; and
- Promoting cross-sectoral action to jointly address climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.
“This approach reflects an integrated perspective encompassing resource efficiency, energy security, renewable energy, nature-based solutions, sustainable water utilisation, disaster-resilient infrastructure, local climate action, and multi-stakeholder partnerships,” the letter explains. The Presidency will also aim to mobilize finance, technology, and partnerships in support of global climate goals through local and regional implementation.
The Presidency encourages the participation of civil society, the private sector, financial institutions, academia, local governments, and youth “throughout the process.”
The 2026 UN Climate Change Conference will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9-20 November 2026. [The Road to Antalya] [Host Country Website]