COP31 opens tomorrow in Antalya: leaders from 102 countries, 45,000 accredited volunteers

Turkey is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP31, which opens its doors tomorrow, 9 November, in Antalya. According to Anadolu Agency, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change announced that preparations are complete for the 12-day event with the participation of 196 countries party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the European Union.

So far, leaders from 102 countries and more than 300 ministers have confirmed their participation. The COP31 venue has received 160 approved pavilion applications and 90 approved delegation office requests. The UN General Assembly, the European Commission, the World Bank, the OECD, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the International Energy Agency will also participate at leadership level at the summit.

According to the ministry's statement, a Leaders Summit will be held on 11-12 November under the hosting of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum will lead Turkey's COP31 Presidency.

The event venue consists of a total of 1.1 million square meters, comprising 527,000 square meters for the Blue Zone and 582,000 square meters for the Green Zone. While approximately 100,000 visitors are expected to visit the Blue Zone along with country delegations, the Green Zone is projected to receive 1.5 million visitors. More than 45,000 climate volunteers from 154 countries have been accredited for COP31.

The 10 priority titles of the COP31 Action Agenda announced by Kurum are as follows: Zero Waste, Clean Energy Transition/Electrification, Food Security, Climate-Resilient Cities, Climate Action Bridge, Green Industrialization, Youth and Education, Oceans and Seas, Rio Synergy, and Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems.

In the Green Zone, Turkey will showcase 455,000 climate-resilient homes built in 11 provinces following the 6 February earthquakes, along with Zero Waste applications. In the Blue Zone, a 10,000 square meter Zero Waste Museum has been established by the Zero Waste Foundation.