On the Road to COP31, UN Resident Coordinator Meets Türkiye’s Chief Climate Negotiator

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, met with Deputy Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister and Chief Climate Negotiator Ms. Fatma Varank on 12 January in Ankara to discuss cooperation and coordination in preparation for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), which Türkiye will host in Antalya later this year.

COP31 is the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, where governments come together to advance global action on climate change.

The meeting focused on establishing a framework for collaboration between the United Nations system in Türkiye and the Government as preparations for COP31 move forward. Resident Coordinator Ahonsi congratulated Türkiye on assuming the COP31 Presidency, in collaboration with Australia as President of Negotiations, and reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to support a successful, inclusive and well-coordinated conference.

Resident Coordinator Ahonsi emphasized that UN support would be aligned with Türkiye’s national priorities and highlighted the importance of an inclusive, multistakeholder approach throughout the COP31 process. He noted that the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ankara would serve as the central link between the Government of Türkiye and the United Nations system in Türkiye, ensuring coherent coordination at both national and global levels. 

“I am confident that Türkiye will continue to be among the leaders of global climate diplomacy in the period ahead” Ahonsi added. 

Deputy Minister Varank welcomed the Resident Coordinator and shared an overview of the current state of preparations, noting that coordination among relevant institutions is gaining momentum. She underlined the importance of close cooperation with international partners, including the United Nations and the Australian delegation, as preparations advance.

Both sides highlighted the importance of outreach and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including diplomatic missions, civil society, youth, and the private sector, to ensure that COP31 delivers meaningful outcomes and supports implementation beyond the conference itself.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintain close coordination in the lead-up to COP31, recognizing the conference as a key moment for advancing global climate action and strengthening multilateral cooperation.