COP31 in Antalya Faces Trust Test as Climate Disasters Escalate

The UN climate conference COP31 will be held in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November 2026. Representatives of three successive summit presidencies gathered to discuss restoring trust in climate action amid rising disasters. The devastation in Nepal, where a wall of water swept away people and homes, reminded delegates of the stakes.

General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman said scientists had warned that such events were becoming reality. He noted that the current El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950. He urged leaders to turn commitments into action and promises into trust.

Turkey plans to accelerate clean energy, reduce methane emissions, and strengthen climate resilience. The Climate Implementation Bridge, developed with UNDP, aims to transform national commitments into investment‑ready projects. Turkey's Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız said finance must be available, accessible, affordable, and predictable.

Australia will lead COP31 negotiations under an arrangement that shares responsibilities with another country. Australian Ambassador James Larsen called for more accessible climate financing and stronger adaptation plans grounded in science. Brazil's Ambassador Sérgio França Danese urged finance talks to expand fiscal space for climate investment. Ethiopia, set to host COP32, highlighted that Africa contributes only about 3% of global emissions but faces severe consequences.