On April 13, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum sent his first letter as COP31 President to the United Nations (UN) Secretariat and the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Letter of Invitation to the Antalya Process from the COP31 Presidency:
“Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Dear Friends,
The world is entering a decisive period for the future of climate action. As the impacts of climate change deepen, the need for multilateral cooperation has become more critical than ever. This situation necessitates concrete and resolute actions. The responsibility of Türkiye, as the incoming Presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP), is to bring the Parties together and consolidate trust in the capacity of multilateral climate action to produce tangible results.
Within this framework, following my appointment by His Excellency Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, President of the Republic of Türkiye, I am deeply honored to address my first letter to you as the COP31 President.
In this process, we view safeguarding and further strengthening the gains achieved under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement as our shared responsibility. We must harness the power of collective action to hand over our common home, the Earth, to future generations in a healthy and balanced state.
In assuming this Presidency, Türkiye will act within the continuity of the work and outcomes of the previous sessions of the COP, including the COP30 Belém outcomes. The Troika approach constitutes a crucial anchor for stability and predictability by establishing a link between past, present, and future presidencies.
COP31 will be realized within the framework of a new cooperation model developed between Türkiye and Australia, distinguishing it from previous COPs. Türkiye will assume the COP31 Presidency, host COP31 and the World Leaders Summit in Antalya, and lead the Action Agenda.
In this context, I am pleased to announce that my esteemed colleague, H.E. Chris BOWEN, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, has been appointed as the COP31 President of Negotiations. Furthermore, the Pre-COP meeting to be held in the Republic of Fiji on October 5-8, 2026, including a leaders' event in Tuvalu, will contribute to inclusively reflecting diverse perspectives.
The COP of the Future: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action
Building on what we have learned from the past, we aim to realize the “COP of the Future.” Our Presidency will be shaped by three fundamental principles: Dialogue to strengthen participation, Consensus to ensure ownership, and Action to transform commitments into concrete outcomes.
The key areas under the Global Climate Action Agenda will be:
- Strengthening the zero waste and circular economy approach.
- Accelerating the clean energy transition.
- Supporting green and low-carbon industrialization.
- Enhancing 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 supporting climate action.
- Increasing the active participation of youth.
- Promoting cross-sectoral action to jointly address climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.
Leadership Team Appointments
The COP31 Presidency will encourage the active participation of civil society, the private sector, academia, and youth. The appointments made in line with this vision are as follows:
- Samed Ağırbaş: President of the Zero Waste Foundation, appointed as the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion.
- Sally Higgins: From Queensland, Australia, appointed as the Youth Climate Champion.
- Fatma Varank: Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, will serve as the COP31 Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
- Ömer Bulut: Deputy Minister, will be responsible for construction, infrastructure, and the preparation of conference venues.
- Burak Demiralp: Deputy Minister, will oversee operational and logistical processes, including venue management.
- Prof. Dr. Halil Hasar: Director of the Directorate of Climate Change, will serve as the Chief Climate Diplomacy Officer.
- Mehmet Ali Kahraman: Will assume the role of Director of the COP31 Presidency Office.
From the Zero Point of History to the Future: The Antalya Process
The COP31 Presidency draws inspiration from Göbeklitepe, known as the “Zero Point of History” and humanity's first settlement dating back twelve thousand years. Göbeklitepe reminds us of the principles of solidarity, balance, and harmony with nature.
We are determined to ensure that the road to Antalya is conducted in a transparent, predictable, and inclusive manner. The World Leaders Summit, to be held in Antalya on November 11-12, will serve as a foundation for building political momentum and visibility for COP31.
We will be delighted to welcome you in the sincere spirit of traditional Turkish hospitality. Let us act with a sense of shared responsibility and transform our common goals into meaningful collective action.
Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Dear Friends, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.”
