Turkey's COP31 presidency officially begins with ceremony in Antalya

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), hosted by Turkey for the first time, began with an opening ceremony held in Antalya, and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum officially took over the one-year presidency.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) opened its doors with a ceremony held in the Anadolu Hall of the Blue Zone in Antalya. As part of the handover, which marked the most significant development of the opening, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum received the presidency gavel from COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago, officially taking over Turkey's one-year COP presidency. The summit, running from November 9 to 20, is attended by representatives from 196 countries and the European Union, alongside Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chair Jim Skea, and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell.

In his opening speech, Minister Murat Kurum stated that climate change has worsened living conditions during a period marked by wars, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainties, expressing that "The world is telling us something clear: We are at ground zero. That is why words have run out in today's world." Conveying that the summit is built upon three core concepts of dialogue, consensus, and action, Kurum recalled the agreement reached in Baku to provide at least $300 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035. Furthermore, the "35 by 35 Global Electrification Pledge," which aims to increase electricity's share in final energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035, was announced to the public.