Berna Kasnaklı
Protecting our planet with a clear vision, robust policies and decisive measures is a shared responsibility. At a time marked by growing geopolitical uncertainties and increasing climate scepticism, Türkiye has been entrusted with the Presidency of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Antalya.
Türkiye considers this responsibility not only a reflection of its strong commitment to multilateralism, but also an opportunity to reaffirm confidence in the effectiveness of the global climate regime.
Türkiye is hosting COP31 in Antalya on November 9–20, 2026. Türkiye leads the COP31 Climate Action Agenda, while Australia serves as President of Negotiations. Through this unique model of cooperation, Türkiye and Australia have been working closely together to ensure that COP31 promotes tangible outcomes for global climate action. This innovative partnership demonstrates that effective international cooperation can deliver meaningful results.
COP31 attracts high-level international participation, bringing together representatives from 196 countries, 100 Heads of State and Government, over 300 ministers, alongside delegates from UN agencies and international organisations. His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of the Republic of Türkiye has hosted COP31 Leaders’ Summit between November 11-12. Vice President Dr Chiwenga has represented His Excellency President Mnangagwa, of the Republic of Zimbabwe at this event.
H.E. Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of Türkiye has met with his counterpart, VP Chiwenga on the margins of COP31 and discussed areas of mutual interest and cooperation.
Türkiye’s Priorities at COP31
Türkiye is committed to conduct the Presidency in a transparent, consultative and predictable manner, ensuring that Parties remain fully engaged throughout the process.
Based on this understanding, Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency is guided by three core principles: dialogue, consensus and action. Through dialogue, we aim to rebuild trust; through consensus, seek common ground; and through action, translate commitments into tangible outcomes.
The aim is to address all pillars of the global climate regime — mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation — in a balanced, integrated and action-oriented manner.
After more than three decades of negotiations, the international community has established an extensive climate architecture. Notwithstanding the importance of the formal negotiations, as we enter the second decade of the Paris Agreement, the need to translate collective ambition into practical action has become increasingly urgent.
This is why Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency aims to turn COP31 process into an Implementation COP, whilst considering different national circumstances. The Conference aims to translate commitments into concrete action, strengthen dialogue and trust, and bridge the gap between climate pledges and tangible results.
COP31 Climate Action Agenda is designed to support parties and stakeholders in accelerating implementation, strengthening international cooperation and mobilising practical solutions on the road to Antalya. Ten priority themes identified for the COP31 Climate Action Agenda are clean energy transition and electrification; zero waste and methane reduction; climate-resilient cities; green industrialisation; youth and education; food security; oceans and seas; dynamic and resilient health systems; Rio synergies; and the climate implementation bridge.
The Conference is showcasing more than 10 initiatives and pledges, including the “Antalya Compact for Energy Efficient Buildings” and the “Antalya Green Industrialisation Compact”.
Türkiye’s priorities, converging areas
The themes of this agenda are in line with the priorities of African countries. Türkiye has strong bonds with the continent and is keen to work with African nations to attain their climate goals. Pledges and initiatives of the COP31 Presidency will provide a strong domain to that end.
The targets, put forward by COP31 Presidency are neither prescriptive, nor intended new obligations for individual countries. In other words, the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBRD-RC) as well as country-driven nature of the process is duly respected.
Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) which aims to close the gap between national climate ambition and implementation will constitute a practical mechanism to overcome the barriers that African nations face in accessing climate finance.
Climate change is not only an environmental issue; it is also a matter of development and economy. While the impacts of climate change are felt worldwide, Africa bears a unique and disproportionate burden. African countries, which have contributed the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts like El-Nino, threaten agriculture, upon which economies heavily rely, and exacerbate food security and livelihoods.
Climate induced extreme weather events also hit considerable portion of the GDP’s across the continent.
Climate change poses significant challenges for African countries, including Zimbabwe and hinders sustainable development efforts.
Ensuring an effective and equitable response to this challenge is an imperative. Therefore, international community needs to enhance cooperation and provide support to increase the adaptation capacity and resilience of the African continent.
This is strongly embedded in our Action Agenda.
In the context of COP31 Climate Action Agenda, one of our key priorities is clean energy transition. There exists a clear and direct linkage between clean energy transition and clean cooking.
Expanding access to modern, affordable, and sustainable cooking solutions is an essential component of a just and inclusive energy transition. Without addressing household energy needs, global energy transition efforts will remain incomplete.
African countries should also have enhanced access to financial support and technology transfer in the context of global climate action.
At COP31, Türkiye intends to support this vision through a Climate Action Agenda focused on implementation, resilience and real-economy transformation. In this context, Africa’s adaptation and resilience priorities will be duly reflected.
The global community must scale up efforts in financing, capacity-building and technology transfer and strong partnerships among governments, international organisations, the private sector, and financial institutions for the African continent. For this reason, scaling up BRIDGE by 2035 provides a practical mechanism for closing the implementation gap.
Zimbabwe has a solid national climate policy framework.
Key areas of interest like climate-resilient agriculture and food security, renewable energy and energy transition, land restoration and combating land degradation, responsible management of natural resources, waste management and pollution control, climate-resilient infrastructure are all being discussed during priority themes at COP31. In this context, Türkiye is confident Zimbabwe will highlight its priorities while promoting practical solutions that support sustainable economic development.
Türkiye remains committed to contributing constructively to global efforts aimed at addressing energy poverty, advancing clean cooking, and supporting a just energy transition.
Extensive participation and collective engagement are expected to foster international cooperation, mobilise resources and create new opportunities for joint action towards a sustainable and resilient future.
We look forward to working closely with Zimbabwe to make COP31 a pivotal echelon in Climate Action.
Berna Kasnaklı is the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Zimbabwe
