Turkey: Delegates arrive in Antalya as COP31 climate talks begin
The United Nations COP31 climate summit has opened in Antalya, Turkey, convening after a year marked by deadly heatwaves and devastating floods. Running until 20 November, the conference is expected to draw more than 90,000 participants, with world leaders scheduled to gather on 11 and 12 November. Delegates are focusing negotiations on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, expanding electrification, reducing methane output, and designing more resilient urban centers.
Talks are unfolding against severe turmoil across global energy markets triggered by the war in Iran, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and driven up international fuel and fertiliser prices. This disruption has reignited fierce debate over the balance between short-term domestic energy security and sustained investment in renewable energy. Meanwhile, securing climate finance for developing nations and determining the ongoing role of natural gas are expected to stand as the most contentious issues on the agenda.
Setting an urgent tone for the summit, UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned delegates that collective progress remains "nowhere near far enough or fair enough." He urged attending governments to stand by their commitments and actively deliver on existing climate promises rather than allowing geopolitical crises to derail global targets.
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