UN
The UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, opened in Antalya on 9 November, with COP31 President Murat Kurum calling on countries to turn climate commitments into investment and tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Hosted by Türkiye for the first time, the conference runs until 20 November, bringing together international delegations for negotiations on emissions reductions, adaptation and climate finance. Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, holds the COP31 presidency, while Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen serves as president of negotiations.
In his opening address, Kurum emphasized that climate policy is closely connected to development, food security, energy and the future of cities. He warned that droughts, floods and extreme heat affect communities and economies far beyond national borders.
Kurum said the presidency wanted COP31 to focus on implementation, guided by dialogue, consensus and action. He urged governments to translate their commitments into investments with practical benefits for communities.
Access to finance and technology for vulnerable countries was another central theme. Kurum warned that delaying resilience investments could increase future disaster costs and deepen humanitarian challenges.
On the energy transition, he highlighted a global electrification pledge targeting a 35 percent share for electricity in final energy consumption by 2035. Renewable energy, stronger grids, storage and energy efficiency were identified as key components of that ambition.
