On the Road to COP31: Strong Message from Istanbul for New Era of Climate Action

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum, together with representatives of current and upcoming UN climate conference presidencies, met with national and international media in Istanbul on 12 February during a press conference marking preparations for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026.

The press engagement took place after a series of strategic discussions involving the COP31 Presidency, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, and representatives of current and previous COP presidencies. Journalists from Türkiye and international media outlets participated in the briefing.

"Climate action can deliver stability in an unstable world"

Addressing the press, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted the importance of strengthened international cooperation during what he described as a period of global instability. “But climate action can deliver stability in an unstable world,” he said. “In the face of the current chaos, we can, and must, drive forward a new era of international climate cooperation.” 

Stiell underlined the need to move into a new “era of implementation” in climate action, focused on delivering concrete outcomes through partnerships, finance and accelerated action across economies and societies. He noted that COP31 would take place at a pivotal moment for climate cooperation, emphasizing that climate action can contribute to energy security, economic resilience and long-term stability. He also referenced Türkiye’s efforts in areas such as renewable energy expansion and zero-waste initiatives, and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum toward implementation of the Paris Agreement and outcomes from recent COP meetings.

Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said that preparations for COP31 were advancing with a results-oriented approach. Emphasizing cooperation with partners, he stated that “to make COP31 successful, Türkiye and Australia will work with an approach based on consultation and cooperation.”

Kurum noted “we do not see COP31 only as a conference, and no one should.” He added that Türkiye’s approach to the process is guided by the principles of “Dialogue, not a single voice; Consensus, not division; Action, not stagnation,” and indicated that a strong and well-structured action agenda would be announced in March. He also stressed that the COP31 Presidency aims to follow an inclusive and impartial approach that encourages participation and ensures that all voices are heard, leaving no one behind.

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy and COP31 President of Negotiations, Chris Bowen, joined the press conference through a video message from Canberra. He underlined the importance of collaboration among COP presidencies and partners, noting that Australia, Türkiye and Pacific partners were working together to ensure that negotiations and implementation advance hand in hand. He described the partnership as “a unique and innovative model” that reflects confidence in multilateral cooperation and said COP31 should serve as a bridge between developed and developing countries during a decisive decade for climate action. 

Bowen also emphasized that while progress has been made since the Paris Agreement, including reductions in projected global warming levels, much more work remains to protect climate-vulnerable countries and accelerate implementation. “No one nation can tackle climate change alone,” he said, stressing the need for shared learning and collective action.

COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago, who was in Istanbul for the technical meetings, also attended the press conference. He said that the delegation had received information on the venues planned for Antalya, noting that the COP site looks very promising and that Antalya is expected to provide an excellent setting for the conference.

Speakers emphasized the significance of maintaining multilateral cooperation in addressing climate change and the importance of ensuring that implementation efforts are supported by investment, finance and broad participation from governments, the private sector and civil society.

COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, bringing together governments, international organizations, businesses and civil society to advance global climate action and implementation of commitments under the Paris Agreement.