President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has appointed Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, as President of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), according to a decision published in the Official Gazette.
The decision also confirmed that the Antalya EXPO site has been designated as the venue for the conference, reflecting Türkiye’s preparations to host one of the world’s most important climate diplomacy gatherings. COP31 is expected to take place in 2026, subject to final confirmation under UNFCCC procedures.
In an official statement, Turkish authorities said they look forward to welcoming international delegations to Antalya to take “more decisive and determined steps in climate action,” underscoring Türkiye’s intention to play a more prominent role in global climate negotiations.
Murat Kurum, who has overseen Türkiye’s climate, urban resilience, and environmental transformation policies, is expected to focus on adaptation, climate finance, sustainable urban development, and support for developing countries.
