News
Turkey’s selection as the host of the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) marks a defining moment in its diplomatic trajectory, positioning the country at the center of global climate negotiations and amplifying its international visibility at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change.
The Conference of the Parties (COP), the governing body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), convenes 197 nations each year to evaluate progress, negotiate policy frameworks and set the direction of global climate action. Decisions reached at the conference — including emissions-reduction commitments, carbon market rules, climate-finance arrangements and adaptation strategies — shape the operational landscape of the Paris Agreement and influence national climate agendas worldwide.
What is the COP?
The COP is the highest forum for multilateral climate negotiations under the UNFCCC. Delegates gather annually to address key issues ranging from greenhouse-gas mitigation and climate adaptation to financing mechanisms and loss-and-damage frameworks. It is also the venue where the rules governing the implementation of the Paris Agreement are refined, reinforced and periodically redefined.
What are the advantages of hosting?
Hosting a COP delivers significant diplomatic and economic dividends. It elevates the host country’s global profile, placing it at the forefront of international climate policy. The influx of tens of thousands of attendees also generates substantial economic activity across tourism, hospitality, transportation and service sectors.
Beyond the immediate economic impact, hosting typically accelerates national climate and sustainability efforts. It draws heightened attention to renewable-energy projects, sustainable urban planning and climate-resilience initiatives, while increasing engagement from international financial institutions and climate-related funds. For two weeks, the host city becomes the epicenter of global climate diplomacy.
Which countries have hosted before?
Since 1995, the COP has been held on multiple continents. Germany (COP1 in Berlin), Japan (COP3 in Kyoto), Denmark (COP15 in Copenhagen), and France (COP21 in Paris, where the Paris Agreement was adopted) are among the most prominent past hosts. Recent editions were held in the United Kingdom (COP26, Glasgow), Egypt (COP27, Sharm El-Sheikh), the United Arab Emirates (COP28, Dubai), Azerbaijan (COP29, Baku), and Brazil (COP30, Belém). COP31 will be Türkiye’s first time hosting the global summit.
What responsibilities does hosting involve?
Organizing a COP requires vast logistical and diplomatic capacity. The host nation must provide infrastructure capable of supporting more than 100,000 participants, including high-capacity conference venues, media centers, exhibition halls and secure meeting facilities. Compliance with UN-mandated security protocols and sustainability standards — such as waste-reduction measures and carbon-neutral operations — is essential.
Given the participation of heads of state and high-level delegations from nearly 200 countries, the host must also coordinate extensive preparatory meetings and technical sessions to ensure negotiations proceed smoothly, efficiently and without disruption.
What does Turkey’s hosting of COP31 signify?
Turkey entered a joint candidacy with Australia before being formally chosen during the COP30 General Assembly in Belém, Brazil. Next year, representatives from around the world will gather in Turkey to negotiate the next phase of climate action.
The Leaders’ Summit is slated for Istanbul, while the main negotiations will take place in Antalya — transforming Turkey into the global hub of climate diplomacy for the duration of the conference.
The event is expected to draw heightened interest from international investors and climate-finance institutions, particularly in renewable energy, clean-technology development and green-transition projects. Turkey’s climate policies, emissions-reduction targets and long-term sustainability strategies will be closely monitored and may serve as a reference point for other emerging economies seeking to advance their own green transitions.