Türkiye identifies 10 climate priorities ahead of COP31 Antalya summit

Türkiye has identified 10 strategic priority areas for climate action ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November. The agenda focuses on the green transition, spanning zero waste initiatives, ocean preservation, and the development of climate-resilient urban infrastructure. Burak Demiralp, Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, confirmed on Saturday, 26 September, that these priorities will serve as the backbone for the conference's negotiations. The framework includes green industrialisation, clean energy electrification, food security, and the establishment of dynamic health systems capable of resisting climate-related shocks. Presidency focus and leadership summit The COP31 presidency will operate under three core principles: dialogue, consensus, and action. According to Demiralp, the agenda was developed through consultations with international stakeholders to bridge the gap between policy and implementation. A primary feature of the event, the COP31 Leaders' Summit, is scheduled for 11 and 12 November. Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci stated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are expected to welcome global heads of state. The summit aims to secure concrete political commitments and accelerate the translation of climate pledges into measurable industrial and environmental shifts. Logistics and urban…