Türkiye and Pacific states set COP31 priorities ahead of Antalya summit

What happened

Türkiye is due to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN climate convention, COP31, in Antalya. The country is working with Australia and Pacific island countries through an Australia-Pacific partnership intended to bring the experience of small island states into the negotiations.

Australia is set to lead the negotiation process, while Türkiye holds the COP31 presidency. Fiji and Tuvalu have contributed to ministerial-level pre-COP meetings and a leaders’ event ahead of the Antalya conference.

The preparatory process has focused on climate-finance mechanisms, including support for the Pacific Resilience Facility. It has also highlighted participation by local and Indigenous communities, young people and civil-society groups. A declaration adopted in Fiji, the Taku Pakasoa Declaration, is expected to inform the Antalya agenda.

Why it matters

The partnership places countries facing severe climate impacts, particularly low-lying island states, more prominently in discussions on finance, adaptation and loss and damage. These states have low emissions but face rising seas and other climate risks.

For Türkiye, the summit is intended to reinforce its role between Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The agenda also gives prominence to renewable-energy investment and green industry, areas relevant to regional economic cooperation. The material does not set out new business obligations or funding commitments.

Background

Participants are expected to focus on maintaining the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The source says countries will be urged to submit more ambitious and implementable nationally determined contributions, the national plans used under the Paris Agreement.

Finance discussions are expected to cover accessible funding, blended finance and support that improves resilience to disasters. Loss-and-damage arrangements are also among the issues identified for countries most affected by climate impacts.

What's next

Pre-COP discussions are expected to shape the issues brought to Antalya. The available material does not give dates for the conference or for submissions of national climate plans.