The second presidency letter of COP31 President Murat Kurum and Negotiations President Chris Bowen regarding the COP31 preparation process was published on May 20, 2026.
Joint Letter from the COP31 President and the President of Negotiations:
“Distinguished Representatives, Esteemed Colleagues, and Dear Friends,
We are writing to you as part of our collaborations in our capacities as COP31 President-Designate and President of Negotiations. Our first joint letter sets out a shared vision and commitment for COP31 to be inclusive and consultative, grounded in transparency, cooperation, and meaningful engagement with all Parties to ensure its success.
Climate action is a strategic pathway for sustainable prosperity, economic resilience, and long-term energy security. Increasing investments in clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable technologies demonstrate global momentum. COP31 presents a vital opportunity to further accelerate this momentum, particularly in clean energy, electrification, and resilient infrastructure.
The decade since the Paris Agreement has been the warmest on record. At a time when climate and energy challenges are intensifying, COP31 can offer a significant opportunity to strengthen collective action, accelerate implementation, and consolidate international cooperation to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Partnership
With this understanding, the COP31 Presidency model reflects a unique framework based on consultation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. The terms of the Türkiye-Australia Partnership Agreement represent a new way of delivering the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties. Australia is honored to assume the Presidency of COP31 Negotiations in close consultation with Türkiye. We will work in close collaboration with all Parties, observers, stakeholders, and Pacific nations to achieve outcomes that move the world forward.
H.E. Minister Murat Kurum, COP31 President:
As I emphasized in the first letter of my Presidency, at a time when the importance of multilateral cooperation has never been greater, Türkiye is committed to strengthening trust in the UN climate process's ability to produce concrete and implementation-oriented outcomes.
Building on the achievements of previous COPs and the outcomes of COP30 in Belém, the COP31 process will be guided by the principles of Dialogue, Consensus, and Action. COP31 in Antalya will be shaped as both an “Implementation COP” and a “COP of the Future,” aiming to translate commitments into tangible progress.
With a strong spirit of international cooperation stretching from Türkiye to the Pacific, Türkiye's COP31 Presidency aims to contribute to shaping a new era of climate diplomacy. My approach as President-Designate is in harmony with the approach of my friend Mr. Chris Bowen, who will serve as the President of Negotiations.
President of Negotiations – The Hon Chris Bowen MP:
Australia will fulfill its Presidency of Negotiations responsibilities in an inclusive, transparent, and party-centric manner, focused on acceleration and implementation. I am pleased to announce that Kushla Munro will serve as the Executive Director, and Dr. Sally Box will serve as the Deputy President of Negotiations and Chief Negotiator for COP31.
Australia is proud to partner with Pacific island nations—our Pacific family. In this regard, I am pleased to announce the appointments of our Pacific Climate Envoys (Kristina Eonemto Stege, Ruel Yamuna, Inia B Seruiratu) and our Youth Climate Champion, Sally Higgins.
Our Mission
In partnership with the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, work under the Mission 1.5 to Belém and the Global Implementation Accelerator will focus on supporting the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Simultaneously, COP31 will undertake work in cross-cutting areas such as the just transition, agriculture, and transparency. With record-level temperatures and rising sea levels, strengthening adaptation and resilience remains a global priority. We will engage transparently on the 'Belém-Addis Adaptation Vision' and the 'Baku Adaptation Roadmap' processes.
Advancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement, including the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance, Article 9, and Article 2.1(c), will be essential to ensure the benefits of climate action are felt by all and no one is left behind.
Conclusion
In this era of uncertainty, accelerating climate action and achieving strong negotiation outcomes is more important than ever. Through Dialogue and Consensus, COP31 is an opportunity to achieve real Action.
Our innovative partnership can deliver results based on the solidarity between Türkiye and Australia, in continuity with Brazil and Azerbaijan, and in alignment with our Pacific partnership.
A sustainable, prosperous, and decarbonized future is possible. And we look forward to working with all of you to achieve this goal.”
