26.12.2025 10:04
With the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum has been appointed as the President of COP31, which will be held in Turkey in 2026. According to the announcement published in the Official Gazette, the preparation, organization, and execution processes of the conference will be carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
With the circular published in the Official Gazette, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum has been appointed as the COP President for COP31, the 21st Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP21) and the 8th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA8), which will be held in Turkey in 2026 under its hosting and presidency.
THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT WILL CARRY OUT ALL PREPARATION PROCESSES
All preparation, organization, and execution processes of the conference will be carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. In this context, all relevant institutions and organizations will participate in the work in coordination with the ministry, in accordance with the guidance to be provided by the COP31 President.
MINISTER KURUM WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY AUTHORITY AND TASK DISTRIBUTION
As the COP31 President, Minister Kurum will make the necessary authority and task distribution for the conduct of negotiations and the organization of the conference. With the instruction of the President, the necessary budget planning for the preparation and execution processes of the conference will be carried out by the relevant institutions and organizations.
KURUM: I AM HONORED
Minister Murat Kurum stated the following in a post on his social media account regarding his appointment as COP President:
"I am honored to be appointed as COP President by the decision of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With the hosting of COP31, Turkey has elevated its role in global climate politics to a decisive level. It has become an actor that charts the course in the fight against climate change. I believe that our country, with its politics, bureaucracy, civil society, and our 86 million people, will together seize this historic opportunity for the benefit of oppressed geographies and our world. May our COP31 Presidency be beneficial for our country, our nation, and our world."
COP31 WILL BE HELD IN ANTALYA FROM NOVEMBER 9-20, 2026
With the instruction of President Erdoğan, the necessary budget planning for the preparation and execution processes of the conference will be carried out by the relevant institutions and organizations.
The conference will be held at the EXPO area and its surroundings in Antalya from November 9-20, 2026.
"IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE"
The statement, which also included information about COP31, emphasized that Turkey's hosting of COP31 is of great importance in terms of both international visibility and achieving a decisive position in climate diplomacy.
It was reminded that the parties' conferences are held annually with the participation of 196 countries, stating, "Sessions where greenhouse gas reduction targets, adaptation policies, climate finance, loss and damage mechanisms, and rules of carbon markets are determined are of vital importance for the world fighting the climate crisis. The rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement are also shaped at COP meetings."
TURKEY'S JOURNEY TO COP31 PRESIDENCY
The statement noted that Turkey, under the leadership of Minister Murat Kurum, conducted a shuttle diplomacy with Australia for the COP31 Presidency over a period of 2 years, and it was recalled that the process was completed on the 5th day of the COP30 Parties Conference, which started on November 10 in Belem, Brazil.
It was reminded that after negotiations with Brazil, Azerbaijan, and Australia, the decision was made for Turkey to host and preside over COP31, and it was also noted that an agreement was reached on holding the Pre-COP in one of the Pacific countries under the leadership of Australia.
The statement emphasized that Turkey will host COP for the first time, one of the most important organizations of the UN in the fight against climate change, stating, "Turkey will act as a bridge between developing countries and developed economies in the sessions. Representatives of 197 countries, along with Turkey, will discuss their commitments, policies, and solutions to the climate crisis in Antalya."