The 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) officially opens today in Antalya, Turkiye. The conference is set to take place from November 9 to November 20, 2026.

COP31 event aims to address the global climate agenda, more so, with a focus on mission targets and implementation; climate finance; and adaptation and resilience of vulnerable countries and communities against climate risks. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the conference.

Turkiye’s COP31 will be led by Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The event is expected to bring together representatives from 196 parties including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN General Assembly, the European Commission, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperative (OIC), and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

According to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Turkiye’s hosting reflects the country’s geographic position, bringing it’s climate-diplomacy links across Europe, Asia and the Middle East together with its growing commitments to renewable energy and the circular economy.

As the conference begins today, African countries are pushing for COP31 agenda to include discussions on the tripping of adaptation finance to support developing nations coping with the worsening climate emergencies.