Türkiye names Environment Minister Murat Kurum as COP31 president, partnering with Australia to lead negotiations, host talks in Antalya, spotlight Pacific climate risks and finance ahead of the 2026 summit globally.
By the decision of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, His Excellency Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, has been appointed as the President of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31). The conference is scheduled to be held at the Antalya EXPO site, according to the Official Gazette.
In a landmark arrangement, Australia will assume the role of President of Negotiations, representing the interests of the Pacific region in the lead-up to and during COP31. Australia will have exclusive authority over the negotiations, giving it a central role in shaping global decision-making on climate action, clean energy trade and investment.
The Pacific region will host a special pre-COP event to highlight the existential threat that climate change poses to its island nations. This collaboration between Türkiye and Australia provides both parties with unprecedented influence over multilateral climate deliberations and actions in 2026.
Under this Türkiye-Australia partnership, Türkiye, as COP31 President and host, will manage all operational and logistical responsibilities, prepare official communications, appoint the UN High-Level Climate Champion and oversee the COP31 Action Agenda. Türkiye will also appoint the Youth Champion proposed by Australia.
Australia, as President of Negotiations, will lead COP31 negotiations, convene consultations and meetings, produce draft texts, coordinate with UNFCCC engagements and select ministerial co-facilitators. Together with Pacific island countries, Australia will organise and preside over the pre-COP event.
Türkiye and Australia will maintain close consultations on all aspects of COP31. Any differences in views will be resolved through mutual discussions. Building on the efforts of COP30, the two countries will strengthen the action agenda, including a session on the climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States and pledges to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
COP31 is expected to bring together world leaders, negotiators, climate experts and stakeholders to advance climate solutions, support vulnerable regions and accelerate global climate action. Türkiye and Australia aim to ensure the conference strengthens multilateral cooperation and highlights locally led adaptation and loss and damage issues.
