Turkey Hosts Climate Finance Summit Ahead of COP31 in Antalya
Turkey's COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum spoke at the Istanbul Climate Finance Summit, as the nation prepares to host the UN climate conference in Antalya.
Turkey is stepping into the global climate spotlight this year as it prepares to host the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The summit is scheduled to take place in the coastal city of Antalya later in 2026.
Ahead of that major international gathering, Istanbul played host to the Climate Finance Summit on Friday, September 4, 2026. The event, held at the Istanbul Financial Center, brought together participants focused on the financial mechanisms that underpin global climate action.
Murat Kurum, who serves as Turkey's Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister and holds the designation of COP31 President, addressed the assembled delegates during the summit. His remarks come at a critical juncture as nations look to firm up commitments on climate financing and implementation.
The Istanbul meeting signals Turkey's active engagement in the climate diplomacy calendar, setting the stage for the larger COP31 deliberations expected in Antalya later this year.