The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has concluded in Belém, Brazil. The diplomatic traffic conducted since Türkiye announced its candidacy for the presidency in 2022 resulted in a historic decision following the negotiations in Belém. A consensus was reached among all parties for the COP31 Conference of the Parties to be held in Türkiye in 2026 and for the conference presidency to be conducted by Türkiye.
Türkiye's climate action, which began with the signing of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2004, accelerated with the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target announced to the world by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2021. The shuttle diplomacy conducted for the COP31 hosting in the last 2 years resulted in Türkiye's victory after negotiations that lasted for 5 days in Brazil.
What is COP and Why is it Important?
The Conference of the Parties (COP), organized under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, brings together 197 countries every year to try to produce common solutions to the climate crisis. At these summits, critical decisions are made regarding:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
- Climate change adaptation policies,
- Sharing of financing resources,
- Operation of loss and damage mechanisms,
- Functioning of carbon markets.
Rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement are also shaped in these meetings.
Türkiye hosting COP31 opens the doors to a new era in sustainability and environmental policies. COP31 is of great importance for Türkiye to both increase its international visibility and take on a more active role in global climate diplomacy.
“Türkiye Will Raise the Voice of the Oppressed”
Representing Türkiye at the COP30, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said:
“The permanent steps we have taken on the road to the 2053 Net Zero Emission Target, our belief in the idea and concrete steps, have influenced all countries of the world and carried Türkiye to these days. Türkiye will raise the voice of all the oppressed who have been victimized and displaced due to the negative effects of climate change.”
Zero Waste Foundation President Ağırbaş: “Türkiye Will Be the Center of Global Solutions”
Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş, who held contacts in Belém during the COP30 process, made the following evaluations:
“The decision to hold COP31 in Türkiye has strongly demonstrated the new level our country has reached in environmental diplomacy. The diplomatic traffic conducted under the determined leadership of our Minister has yielded results, and the responsibility of hosting the largest international event in our country's history has been entrusted to Türkiye. In this process, the Zero Waste movement, which has increased its impact worldwide under the vision and leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, has further strengthened our country's position on the global environmental agenda.”
Ağırbaş added, “As the Zero Waste Foundation, we will organize special sustainability-focused sessions during the conference and take concrete and applicable steps together with international stakeholders.”
Türkiye's Zero Waste Vision Was Effective
The Zero Waste movement, which has found response in more than 70 countries today, has turned into a global environmental mobilization under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan. Giving COP31 to Türkiye is considered one of the strongest indicators that this vision has been adopted by the international community.
Zero Waste Special Sessions at COP31
Within the scope of the conference, special sessions themed Zero Waste, roundtable meetings, and international stakeholder meetings will be held under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation. In this context, it is aimed to create concrete roadmaps under headings such as climate finance, green transformation, waste management, circular economy, and loss-damage mechanisms.
How is Hosting Decided?
Consensus must be reached among candidate countries to host COP. If there is no official objection, a consensus is considered to have been formed. Hosting rotates annually among the five UN regions. The turn for 2026 had come to the “Western Europe and Others (WEOG)” group, which includes Türkiye. Türkiye assumed this duty as a result of friendly negotiations conducted with Australia.
