COP 31 letter from the Presidency

 

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Dear Friends,

The world is entering a decisive period for the future of climate action. The impacts of climate change are deepening and the need for multilateral cooperation is greater than ever. This demands concrete and resolute steps in response. As the Incoming Presiden-cy of the Conference of the Parties (COP), Turkiye has a responsibility to bring parties together and reinforce confidence in the ability of multilateral climate action to deliver tangible results.

With this understanding, upon the appointment made by H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, I am deeply honoured to share with you my first letter as the COP31 President-Designate.

In this process, we regard it as our shared responsibility to preserve and further strengthen the achievements attained under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. As such, we intend to bring the expectations of the Parties together on common ground to build a safer world and a more secure global economy for humanity as climate impacts rapidly worsen.

To pass on our common home, the Earth, to future generations in a healthy and balanced state, we must harness the strength of acting together.

Turkiye, in assuming this Presidency, will act in continuity with the work and outputs of previ-ous sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP), including COP30 Belem outcomes.

The Troika approach serves as an important pillar for stability and predictability by connect-ing past, current, and future presidencies. In this regard, I would like to emphasise that we, Turkiye and Australia, are working in close cooperation with Azerbaijan and Brazil.

COP31 will be realised through a new model of cooperation developed between Turkiye and Australia, marking a departure from previous COPs. The COP31 Presidency takes pride in establishing an innovative model that promises to deliver a new, inclusive, and solution-oriented COP. Turkiye will hold the COP31 Presidency, host COP31 including its World Leaders' Summit in Antalya, and lead the Action Agenda. In accordance with Turkiye-Australia Partnership Modalities, a representative of Australia has been appoint-ed as President of Negotiations and will have exclusive authority in leading the COP 31 Negotiations, in consultation with Turkiye.

In this framework, I am pleased to announce that my esteemed colleague, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, H.E. Chris Bowen, has been appointed as the COP31 President of Negotiations. I have complete faith in his work. In the coming weeks, we will share with you a joint letter outlining our priorities regarding the negotia-tions and how we can make progress across all climate pillars.

Our arrangements, formally welcomed by COP30 last year, are based on a shared purpose, sincere cooperation, and a determination to deliver strong and practical results for the world during this critical period for climate action.

This new model connects the Mediterranean and Pacific regions, initiating a new era for climate diplomacy based on our deep commitment to supporting the goals of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

 

 

To advance the fight against climate change, help boost climate resilience and accelerate the clean energy transition, already underway and irreversible, yet needing to progress more rapidly, we will bring together our diplomatic, geopolitical, and economic strengths.

Additionally, the Pre-COP meeting to be held in the Republic of Fiji on 5-8 October 2026, including a leaders' event in Tuvalu, will contribute to reflecting diverse perspec-tives in an inclusive manner.

H.E. Bowen and I have a common vision for achieving success at COP31.

By building on what we have learned from the past and applying them to the present, we aim to realise the "COP of the Future". This will involve an implementation-focused approach, that is inclusive and balanced and that transforms commitments into mea-surable and practical results.

Our Presidency will be guided by three core principles: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action.

•     Dialogue will strengthen participation and help build trust among Parties.

•     Consensus will ensure ownership of outcomes and respect the unique circum-stances of countries.

•     Action will enable commitments to be transformed into concrete, balanced, and applicable outputs.

T0rkiye's priorities for the COP31 Action Agenda are based on a holistic approach aimed at accelerating the implementation of global climate action and translating deci-sions into tangible and measurable outcomes. Through the six axes of the Global Climate Action Agenda, we will focus on the following key areas:

•      Strengthening the zero waste and circular economy approach.

•      Accelerating the clean energy transition.

•     Supporting green and low carbon industrialisation.

•     Increasing the resilience of vulnerable regions, oceans and seas.

•     Supporting food security and developing sustainable agricultural systems.

•     Promoting climate-resilient and sustainable cities.

•     Strengthening financial and institutional mechanisms that support climate action.

•     Increasing the active participation of youth.

•     Promoting a cross-sectoral action to jointly address climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.

This approach reflects an integrated perspective encompassing resource efficiency, energy security, renewable energy, nature-based solutions, sustainable water utilisation, disaster-resilient infrastructure, local climate action, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

 

 

Turkiye's objective is to mobilise finance, technology, and partnerships to support global climate goals through local and regional implementation. In particular, we aim to devel-op practical and scalable solutions for vulnerable regions, while advancing climate action in harmony with sustainable development.

The COP31 Presidency will actively encourage the participation of civil society, the private sector, financial institutions, academia, and local governments throughout the process. At the same time, we firmly believe that no transformation can be achieved without the active engagement of young people. With this conviction, we will build the "COP of the Future" together with younger generations.

To accelerate the implementation of the Action Agenda, Mr. Samed Ag1rba$, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, has been appointed as the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion, working closely with business, financial institutions, cities and regions, and civil society.

Together with Minister Bowen, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Sally Higgins as the Youth Climate Champion. Ms Higgins comes from the Darling Downs in regional Queensland, Australia and is a passionate advocate for climate change and elevating the voices of young people.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Ms. Fatma Varank, will serve as Chief Executive Officer (COP31 CEO), coordinating and overseeing the overall strategic framework of COP31, the substantive content of the process and Action Agenda, the international negotiation preparations, inter-institutional coordina-tion, and venue planning.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mr. Omer Bulut, will be responsible for construction and infrastructure, ensuring that the conference venues and logistical infrastructure are prepared on time, in full, and to the highest standards.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mr. Burak Oemiralp, will be responsible for operational and logistical processes, including venue management.

The Director of the Climate Change Directorate, Prof. Or. Halil Hasar, will serve as Chief Climate Diplomacy Officer within the executive structure of the COP31 Presidency.

Furthermore, Mr. Mehmet Ali Kahraman will assume the role of Director of the COP31 Presidency Office, with responsibility for the coordination of the Presidency's programme and related processes.

The COP31 Presidency draws inspiration from Gbbeklitepe, civilisation's first settle-ment, dating back twelve thousand years, and known as the "Zero Point of History." Gbbeklitepe reminds us of the principles of solidarity, balance, and harmony with nature. Our shared home requires both commitments and measurable outcomes that re-affirm confidence in multilateralism and build on the achievements of recent COPs. This includes the unanimous agreement by all countries at COP30 that the Paris Agreement is working, and together we will resolve to go further and faster. With the valuable contri-butions of all Parties and other participants, I believe that COP31 will demonstrate how we are collectively delivering on this promise and will be remembered as a COP distinc-tive for both its coherence and effectiveness.

 

 

Located at the crossroads of the world, Turkiye serves as a bridge between civilisations and cultures. Throughout history, with its longstanding tradition of coexistence and solidarity, Turkiye has contributed significantly to the strengthening of regional and inter-national cooperation.

As such, we are determined to ensure that the road to Antalya is conducted in a trans-parent, predictable, and inclusive manner. Antalya possesses extensive experience in hosting major international events, supported by strong infrastructure and renowned hospitality. Preparations are ongoing with great care to ensure that the conference venue and surrounding facilities meet all requirements for a successful COP.

The World Leaders' Summit, to be held in Antalya on '1 '1-'12 November, will be a key moment in generating political momentum and visibility for COP3 '1. The Summit will provide an important opportunity for leaders to announce new, concrete, and imple-mentable climate commitments and to launch initiatives that address key gaps and will support positive outcomes in the negotiations.

Having spearheaded the development of the legal and strategic infrastructure shaping Turkiye's climate policies for more than eight years during my tenure at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change-specifically in drafting the Climate Law to establish a legal framework for climate action, formulating long-term climate and low-emission development strategies, building disaster and climate-resilient cities, designing innovative policy and financing mechanisms to support local govern-ments, and launching the youth climate envoys movement-I hereby commit to lever-aging my experience throughout Turkiye's COP3'1 Presidency. By prioritising innova-tive partnerships and robust international cooperation, I am dedicated to accelerating global climate action and contributing to the fulfilment of the objectives set forth in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. In Antalya, the world must translate words into concrete results.

We look forward to welcoming you in the true spirit of traditional Turkish hospitality. Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, act with a sense of shared responsibility, and transform our common goals into meaningful collective action.

In the period ahead, I look forward to working together to shape the future of climate action in line with these principles.

Please accept, Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Dear Friends, the assur-ances of my highest consideration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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