UN climate summit COP31 opens in Antalya under shared presidency
The 31st UN Climate Summit (COP31) has opened in Antalya, Turkey, with a shared presidency between Turkey and Australia to address climate finance and emission targets.
The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) has opened in Antalya, Turkey, gathering representatives from nearly 200 countries for two weeks of negotiations on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
The summit introduces a dual leadership model: Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum serves as COP president, while Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen leads negotiations. Opening the event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action, stating that "everyone must do more — and right now."
Negotiations will focus on climate financing mechanisms, adaptation frameworks, and national emission targets. Discussions occur against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, global energy shifts, and familiar divides between nations pushing to phase out fossil fuels and countries reliant on coal, oil, and gas exports. More than 100,000 delegates, observers, and journalists are expected to attend.
Sources: Die Presse, ORF, Tagesschau, Der Standard, DW.