Türkiye has fixed the dates of the leaders’ summit at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, and says planning for participants’ stay in Antalya is complete, about six weeks before the conference opens.
Officials set out the plans at a briefing on Friday, 25 September, reported by Türkiye’s state news agency Anadolu. COP31 runs from 9 to 20 November at the Antalya EXPO Center.
Leaders to meet in the first week
Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci said the leaders’ summit will take place on 11 and 12 November, during the first week of the conference. According to Anadolu, the summit is expected to bring heads of state and government together to raise political ambition, announce commitments, launch initiatives and give momentum to the negotiations.
Ekinci said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres are expected to welcome arriving leaders. After the opening ceremony, Erdoğan, Guterres and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are expected to speak. Australia is leading the negotiations under its arrangement with Türkiye, Reuters has reported. The first day will close with a gala dinner for heads of state and government hosted by Erdoğan and first lady Emine Erdoğan.
The briefing did not say which leaders have confirmed attendance. Ekinci said Ankara hopes the summit will provide “strong political momentum” for climate action.
Logistics and media
Deputy Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Burak Demiralp said the presidency is guided by three principles: dialogue, consensus and action. He said Türkiye has completed detailed planning for participants’ journey from arrival in Antalya to departure, with a focus on safety, comfort and accessibility.
“Our aim is to serve you with Turkish hospitality while ensuring access to services,” Demiralp said. He added that the presidency expects strong interest from international media and is arranging transport so journalists can travel easily between their accommodation and the venue. The UNFCCC’s participant guide says dedicated COP31 shuttle services will be arranged.
Ten priority areas
Demiralp restated the 10 priority areas of the COP31 Action Agenda: zero waste; oceans and seas; food security; climate-resilient cities; a climate action implementation bridge; youth and education; green industrialisation; clean energy transition and electrification; “real synergy”; and dynamic and resilient health systems.
COP31 President-designate Murat Kurum launched the Action Agenda at the UN in New York on 21 September. Hürriyet Daily News reported that it includes six global goals, 11 initiatives and 13 supporting outcomes. The Action Agenda is the presidency’s programme of priorities and voluntary initiatives. The formal decisions at COP31 will still be negotiated and agreed by the Parties.
What comes next
The next major stop on the road to Antalya is the Pre-COP ministerial meeting in Fiji, from 5 to 8 October.
When is the COP31 leaders’ summit?
On 11 and 12 November, during the first week of COP31, which runs from 9 to 20 November at the Antalya EXPO Center.
Who is expected to speak at the opening?
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci, Erdoğan, Guterres and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are expected to deliver remarks after the opening ceremony. A full list of attending leaders has not been announced.
Is the COP31 Action Agenda binding?
No. It sets out the presidency’s priorities and voluntary initiatives. Formal COP decisions are negotiated separately by the Parties.
Sources
- Anadolu Agency, 26 Sep 2026: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/turkiye-outlines-preparations-priorities-for-un-climate-change-conference-in-antalya/4069808
- UNFCCC, Information for COP 31 participants: https://unfccc.int/cop31/ifp
- Hürriyet Daily News, 22 Sep 2026: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kurum-outlines-cop31-targets-on-energy-and-waste-at-un-227159
- Reuters, 22 Sep 2026: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/turkeys-cop31-president-lays-out-summits-agenda-un-2026-09-22/
