Turkey and Australia Host COP31 Climate Summit in Antalya
Turkey and Australia co-host the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, focusing on global electrification and climate finance amid the absence of the United States.
The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change opened on November 9, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye. Under a unique dual-leadership model, the Government of Türkiye serves as the host and president managing the action agenda, while the Government of Australia leads formal negotiations. The summit is branded as an "implementation COP," shifting focus from setting targets to executing concrete projects.
A central pillar of the summit is the "35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge," which seeks to increase the global share of energy demand met by electricity to 35% by 2035. However, the European Union and various climate advocates have pushed for this to be "clean" electrification to ensure fossil fuels are not used to meet the target. Negotiations are further complicated by a massive funding gap for developing nations, with the African Group and India demanding more grants and simpler access to adaptation finance.
The summit occurs amid severe geopolitical instability, including wars in Ukraine and Iran that have disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, warned that the 1.5°C warming limit is no longer achievable and urged leaders to end their "fossil fuel addiction." The proceedings are marked by the absence of the United States under President Donald Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. Other notable absences include leaders from China, India, and several G7 nations, though subnational U.S. actors and various international heads of state continue to participate.
