Delegates from 200 countries gather in Antalya for COP31 climate negotiations

Delegates from nearly 200 countries will converge on the Turkish resort city of Antalya next week for the 31st UN climate summit, known as COP31, to negotiate the next round of emissions‑reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement. The meeting, scheduled to run from November 6‑17, follows a turbulent year in which the climate agenda has been squeezed by the war in Ukraine, record‑breaking heatwaves, and a slowdown in global climate finance.

The choice of Antalya reflects a shift in the UN’s rotation system, moving the summit to a nation that has both a growing renewable‑energy sector and a contentious record on fossil‑fuel subsidies. Turkey’s bid to host was approved in June after it promised to phase out coal subsidies and to boost solar and wind capacity to 30 GW by 2030. The venue also signals an attempt to bring the climate talks closer to regions most vulnerable to climate impacts, as the Mediterranean basin faces intensifying droughts and wildfires.

Negotiators are expected to focus on three core issues: finalising the global carbon‑budget for 2030‑2035, scaling up climate finance for developing nations, and agreeing on a “loss and damage” mechanism to compensate countries hit hardest by climate disasters. The finance talks are particularly fraught; developed nations have pledged $100 billion a year since 2009 but have fallen short, prompting developing countries to demand clearer delivery schedules. Meanwhile, the United States, the European Union, and China have signalled willingness to lock in higher nationally determined contributions, but each faces domestic political pressure that could limit ambition.

If agreements are reached, they will be submitted to the UN climate secretariat for inclusion in the global stocktake that informs the next round of national pledges. Failure to secure a consensus could deepen the credibility gap that has plagued previous summits and risk further erosion of public trust. The outcomes will shape the trajectory of global climate policy for the next five years, influencing everything from energy markets to investment in resilient infrastructure. The world will be watching Antalya closely to see whether the summit can finally translate rhetoric into actionable, enforceable commitments.