Türkiye is hosting the COP31 under the presidency of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, while Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is leading negotiations.
Addressing the opening session, Kurum warned that geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and worsening climate impacts were interconnected challenges.
“Climate policy today is also development policy. It is food policy. Energy policy. Urban policy. Health policy,” he said.
Kurum said Türkiye wanted COP31 to become an “Implementation COP”, guided by dialogue, consensus and action.
“This is Antalya's call: let dialogue grow as divisions deepen. Restore trust where it is under strain. Put resources to work as needs grow. Close the gap between our promises and people's lives,” he said.
He outlined a “35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge” to raise electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035. He also urged countries to fulfil climate finance commitments, including mobilising at least $300 billion annually for developing countries by 2035.
The UN climate summit COP31 opened on Monday in Türkiye's Mediterranean city of Antalya, with leaders calling for faster action on climate commitments, clean energy and financial support for vulnerable countries.
The November 9-20 conference brings together representatives from around the world to negotiate emissions reductions, climate adaptation and financing.
Negotiations focus on finance and energy transition
Bowen called for cooperation, warning that global warming would exceed the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target without urgent action.
“The latest science tells us that we will overshoot 1.5. But we can still return if we work together and act with urgency, solidarity and resolve,” he said.
He noted that global clean energy investment reached around $2.2 trillion last year, almost twice the amount invested in fossil fuels, but warned that developing countries were still struggling to access climate finance.
“The countries that need climate finance the most are getting it the least,” Bowen said, calling for faster and fairer funding.
He also announced plans with Kurum to pursue a targeted decision focused on accelerating practical climate solutions without duplicating existing negotiations.
UN climate chief urges practical solutions
UN climate chief Simon Stiell called for COP31 to move beyond setting targets and deliver concrete measures to expand renewable energy, strengthen power grids and reduce methane emissions.
“COP31 must supercharge solutions,” he said.
“Together, action on methane and electrification are a planetary icepack – able to cut half a degree from projected global heating,” Stiell added.
He also urged countries to increase adaptation finance and honour existing commitments, stressing that vulnerable nations must remain central to the energy transition.
