COP31 Summit in Turkey Focuses on Climate Finance and Trade Implementation

The 31st UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP31, is being held in the Antalya EXPO area in Turkey from November 9 to November 20, 2026. The summit involves approximately 200 countries and regions working to address global climate challenges. The conference has entered its fifth day, with current discussions focusing on the themes of finance and trade. The event is being led by Murat Kurum, who serves as the President of COP31 and the Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

Regional Cooperation and New Initiatives

Several significant agreements and programs were introduced during the summit. Uzbekistan opened a national pavilion to showcase its Green Space, Clean Air, and Waste-Free Territory projects. During the proceedings, Uzbekistan and Turkey signed a memorandum of cooperation on ecological cooperation. Uzbekistan also proposed the opening of a regional center for the Adaptation Fund in Tashkent.

A major development at the summit was the launch of the Central Asian Nature Restoration Program (CLiCA). According to ABEMA Prime, 103.7 million euro has been allocated to Uzbekistan for the CLiCA program. This program aims to restore 18,000 hectares of forest and 123,000 hectares of pasture. The initiative is expected to assist 34,000 people in adapting to climate change and will provide advice and credit to 12,000 farmers across 15 districts in Uzbekistan.

Global Climate Context and Participation

The summit follows a World Leaders Summit held on November 11–12, 2026, hosted by President Erdoğan. While many leaders attended, the Prime Minister of Japan is absent from the summit for the third consecutive year. However, the Japanese Minister of Environment, Sasagawa, is participating in the conference. Other notable attendees include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and various regional leaders.

The discussions come at a critical time for global temperature management. In 2024, the global average temperature was approximately 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. The Paris Agreement remains the primary international framework aiming to limit this temperature rise to 1.5°C. Regarding existing efforts, an official named Kallhauge stated that the Global Methane Pledge is off track and requires more funding.

Additionally, discussions regarding agriculture and farmers involved projects valued at 15.4 million dollars. As the summit continues toward its November 20 conclusion, the focus remains on how climate finance can be effectively implemented to meet international environmental goals.

Glossary

• COP31 — The 31st UN Climate Change Conference is a summit involving approximately 200 countries and regions. It aims to address global climate challenges.
• Adaptation Fund — The Adaptation Fund is a multilateral climate fund. It has a specific focus on adaptation within its mandate.
• Paris Agreement — The Paris Agreement is an international framework. It aims to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C.