Türkiye Presents COP31 Action Agenda

Türkiye Presents COP31 Action Agenda Ahead of Antalya Climate Summit

Türkiye aims to turn climate commitments into concrete and measurable action at the COP31 UN climate conference, which will be held in Turkey in November.

The COP31 Action Agenda was presented in New York on September 21 by Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum. The event took place during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Kurum, who serves as COP31 President, said the main priority is to move from existing climate targets to practical implementation.

“Dialogue. Consensus. Action. Through dialogue, we listen to different needs and priorities. Through consensus, we identify areas for joint action. Through action, we want to turn this partnership into concrete results.”

10 priority areas and global targets for 2035

The COP31 Action Agenda includes 10 priority themes, six global targets, 11 initiatives and 13 supporting outputs. The agenda covers areas including energy and industry, cities, food, oceans and health.

According to Kurum, the agenda was developed following consultations with countries, international organisations, financial institutions, businesses and civil society representatives.

One of the announced targets for 2035 is to increase the share of electricity in final energy consumption to 35%.

Through the COP31 Global Electrification Initiative, Türkiye plans to accelerate electrification worldwide. Other priorities include developing climate-resilient cities, protecting oceans and seas, strengthening food security and resilient health systems, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing recycling.

Antalya to host COP31

Kurum said recommendations made by participants at the New York event would be taken into account in preparations for the conference in Antalya.

He also stressed that Antalya should not be viewed as the final destination of the process, but as a point where the implementation of climate solutions can accelerate in a visible and measurable way.

COP31 will take place from November 9 to 20, 2026 at the Expo Center in Antalya under Türkiye's presidency.

Representatives from around 20 countries and international financial institutions attended the New York event. Speakers included representatives of the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, as well as leaders connected with COP30, COP29 and COP31.

Türkiye and the EU discuss climate cooperation

During his visit to New York, Murat Kurum also met European Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra.

The two sides discussed Türkiye-EU climate cooperation and preparations for COP31.

Kurum said Türkiye sees COP31 as an opportunity to take Türkiye-EU climate relations to a more strategic and results-oriented level.

The minister also called on the European Union to actively contribute to COP31, the initiatives included in the Action Agenda and its global implementation goals.

Source: TRT World, Anadolu Agency.

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