COP31 takes center stage at Hacettepe University's MUN Conference

“By choosing to be part of Model United Nations (MUN), you are sending the powerful message that despite everything that is happening in the world, you still believe that things can get better and that the United Nations (UN) remains a platform where nations come together to pursue peace and do better for humanity,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, at the opening of the Hacettepe University Model United Nations Conference (HUMUN 2026) on 30 April.

The conference brought together around 1,000 high school and university students from across Türkiye, including international participants, making HUMUN 2026 the largest Model United Nations conference hosted in the country. Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ahonsi commended the organizers and participants, highlighting the importance of dialogue, cooperation and multilateralism at a time of growing global uncertainty, and underscoring the critical role of young people in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Ahonsi commended the organizers and participants, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, cooperation and multilateralism at a time of growing global uncertainty. Addressing the students, he highlighted the critical role of young people in shaping the future and sustaining international cooperation. 

“You are not just participants in a conference. You are a reminder that multilateralism is not an abstract concept—it is a living idea carried forward by people who still believe in it,” he said.

“The world does not need more noise; it needs more understanding. Diplomacy is not about winning arguments; it is about finding a way forward together. By being here, you are already proving that dialogue is still possible, and that it matters” added Ahonsi. 

Following the opening ceremony, a high-level panel discussion on COP31 and climate action was held, moderated by Dr. Azer Sumbas from Faculty of Law and advisor to the MUN community. The panel featured Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi; Mr. Samir Becanov, COP29 Deputy Chief Negotiator and Head of the Department of International Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Mr. Orhan Solak, Deputy Director at the Directorate of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye.

In his remarks, Dr. Ahonsi underscored that COP31 should be seen as a platform for delivery, linking climate action directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“We cannot separate COP31 from the SDGs. The way we see it at the UN, it is a platform for advancing the 2030 agenda of sustainable development. Because climate action, which by the way has a whole Sustainable Development Goal around it, SDG 13, is deeply interconnected with poverty reduction, food security, low carbon industrialization, ihealth, energy, and of course economic resilience” Resident Coordinator noted. 

Ahonsi also pointed to the growing threat of zoonotic diseases—such as Ebola, SARS, Zika and COVID-19— noting that environmental degradation and the disruption of planetary ecosystems are increasing global health risks and underscoring the urgent need for integrated solutions.

Highlighting the role of young people in climate action, Dr. Ahonsi called on participants to actively engage in shaping solutions. He noted the growing role of youth in global climate governance, as exemplified by the appointment of Ms. Sally Higgins of Australia as the COP31 Youth Climate Champion, and Türkiye’s Samed Ağırbaş, as the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion. He encouraged students to be part of ongoing innovations, to test solutions within their communities, and to adopt sustainable lifestyles, including circular and zero waste practices.

“Be part of the innovations that are taking place. Be the change you would like to see,” he told participants.

COP29 Deputy Chief Negotiator Samir Becanov reflected on key outcomes of COP29, describing the agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance as a landmark achievement. He also highlighted the finalisation of implementation guidance for international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement as a major technical breakthrough. Noting that over 50 mandates were delivered in Baku, he emphasized that each COP builds on the outcomes of the previous one, with COP30 advancing the decisions taken at COP29.

Deputy Director Orhan Solak emphasized that Türkiye’s primary motivation in hosting COP31 is to address the global implementation gap. “COP31 will be a turning point,” he said, adding that Türkiye aims to position itself as a regional and global hub for climate action.

He outlined Türkiye’s priorities, including promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, strengthening food security, supporting small-scale farmers, and addressing water scarcity and drought risks—challenges that are particularly acute in the Mediterranean region, one of the most climate-vulnerable areas in the world.

Underscoring the importance of youth engagement, Solak noted that youth participation would be a defining feature of COP31, with Türkiye’s young climate envoys playing an active role. He emphasized that Türkiye views young people as equal and active partners in climate action.

HUMUN 2026 continues over the coming days with simulations and debates on global issues ranging from climate negotiations and digital governance to human rights and international security, offering young participants a platform to engage with complex global challenges and develop the skills needed for future leadership.