Türkiye to Host COP31 Climate Summit in 2026 | Details

Türkiye Prepares to Take Center Stage in Global Climate Diplomacy as Host of COP31 in 2026

Türkiye is set to become a focal point of international climate diplomacy as it prepares to host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), a move expected to boost the country's global visibility and strengthen its role in shaping climate policy.

What is the COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the annual gathering of 197 signatory countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is the world's most important decision-making platform for climate action, where countries negotiate emission-reduction commitments, climate finance mechanisms, adaptation strategies and rules governing carbon markets. The roadmap for implementing the Paris Agreement is shaped at these meetings, and decisions taken have direct, long-term impacts on national climate policies.

To explain the significance of next year's event, Anadolu Agency outlined the process in five key areas.

COP — the Conference of the Parties — is the main governing body of the UNFCCC. Each year, representatives of 197 countries meet to:

• Assess progress on climate commitments
• Negotiate greenhouse gas reduction targets
• Discuss climate finance and adaptation
• Advance mechanisms for loss and damage
• Shape the rules of carbon markets

COP meetings also define the implementation framework of the Paris Agreement.

Advantages of Hosting COP31

Hosting a COP summit brings diplomatic, economic and environmental benefits:

• The host country becomes a central actor in global climate diplomacy, gaining high international visibility.
• Tens of thousands of participants generate major economic activity in accommodation, tourism, transport and services.
• The event accelerates the domestic green agenda, drawing attention to renewable energy, sustainable urban planning and climate-resilience projects.
• Interest from global financial institutions and climate funds typically increases, improving access to clean-energy investment.

For two weeks, the host city becomes the world's climate diplomacy capital.

Previous COP Hosts

Since 1995, COP meetings have rotated across continents. Notable hosts include:

• Berlin (Germany) – COP1
• Kyoto (Japan) – COP3
• Copenhagen (Denmark) – COP15
• Paris (France) – COP21, which produced the Paris Agreement
• Glasgow (UK) – COP26
• Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) – COP27
• Dubai (UAE) – COP28
• Baku (Azerbaijan) – COP29
• Belém (Brazil) – COP30

Türkiye will host a COP for the first time in 2026.

Responsibilities of the Host Country

Hosting COP requires large-scale logistical and diplomatic preparations:

• Infrastructure must support 100,000+ participants, including conference halls, media centers, exhibition areas and secure zones.
• Full compliance with UN security and accreditation standards is mandatory.
• Organizers must implement sustainability measures such as zero-waste systems, low-carbon transport and carbon-neutral event management.
• High-level coordination is essential due to the attendance of heads of state, ministers, and technical negotiators.

The host is responsible for ensuring that global climate negotiations progress smoothly and effectively.

What Türkiye's Hosting Means

Türkiye submitted a joint candidacy with Australia, and during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the decision was made to grant Türkiye the role of host for COP31.

In 2026:

• The COP31 Leaders' Summit is expected to take place in Istanbul.
• The main COP31 negotiations will be held in Antalya.
• Delegations from nearly 200 countries will gather in Türkiye to negotiate future climate action.

Hosting the event is expected to increase international attention on Türkiye's climate policies, emission-reduction goals, green transformation efforts, and clean-energy investments. It may also boost investor interest in climate finance, green technology and renewable energy projects.

For two weeks, Türkiye will be positioned at the heart of global climate diplomacy.