The 2026 UN Climate Change Conference – UNFCCC COP31 – is convening in Antalya, Türkiye from 9 to 20 November 2026. This page provides updates on the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference and the involvement of International Geneva.
The 2026 UN Climate Change Conference – UNFCCC COP31 – is convening in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. The meeting comprises the thirty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 31), the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 21), and the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 8).
This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, as it entered into force on 4 November 2016.
To dive into COP31 negotiations , watch the live webcast and catch up with:
The compromise about the hosting of COP31 in 2026 envisages that Türkiye will host the climate summit in the city of Antalya, and pre-COP meetings will be held on a Pacific island. Under the Türkiye-Australia Partnership Modalities , Murat Kurum of Türkiye will serve as COP31 President-designate, and Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen will be President of the Negotiations.
Built on an innovative Türkiye–Australia partnership model, the conference aims to prioritize consensus, stakeholder engagement, and support for vulnerable countries—particularly through enhanced finance, adaptation efforts, and implementation of national climate plans — while reinforcing global momentum to keep the 1.5°C target within reach and translate commitments into measurable progress.
Under the banner of Driving Implementation Through Cooperation and Collective Action, the priority areas for COP31 include:
Through the COP31 Action Agenda—built upon 10 Priority Areas and 6 Global Implementation Targets—the COP31 Presidency aims to advance global climate ambition forward and chart the course for the future.
COP31 Thematic Days bring together global leaders, policymakers, businesses, researchers, and civil society around key climate priorities. Each day of the conference focuses on a specific theme, creating space for targeted dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborative solutions.
Through dedicated sessions, panels, and partnership events, the Thematic Days aim to connect policy with practice and accelerate the implementation of climate commitments.
The COP31 Leaders’ Summit , held on 11 and 12 November, brings together heads of state and government from around the world to strengthen political momentum for global climate action. Held in Antalya under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, the summit will provide a high-level platform for leaders to present national commitments, engage in bilateral dialogue, and advance collective solutions to the climate crisis. The summit aims to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement while fostering cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility among nations.
The High-Level Segment (HLS) for Heads of State and Government (HoS/G) will take place during the Antalya Leaders’ Summit. The first part of the HLS to hear the delivery of national statements from HoS/G will take place on Wednesday, 11 and Thursday, 12 November 2026 . The resumed HLS for those Parties whose HoS/G did not deliver a national statement during the first part will be held on Tuesday, 17 and Wednesday, 18 November 2026 . The High-Level Segment is one of the central components of the COP31 conference programme. It brings together senior government representatives to deliver official national statements and share progress, ambitions, and priorities related to climate action. Through these statements and discussions, countries reaffirm their commitments under the Paris Agreement and contribute to shaping the global climate agenda.
Taking place at the Insurance House during the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference ( COP31 ) in Antalya, Türkiye, the COP31 Global Sustainable Insurance Summit will serve as the flagship UN-convened, insurance industry-led, multistakeholder gathering at COP31.
Convened jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Insurance Association of Türkiye (TSB), the Summit will bring together leaders and decision-makers from the insurance industry and wider financial sector, businesses, policymakers, regulators and supervisors, UN agencies, academia and civil society.
Under the theme “The Climate Resilience Imperative: Harnessing the insurance industry’s capabilities to catalyze resilience across the economy,” the Summit will will explore how the insurance industry—leveraging its unique triple role as risk managers, risk carriers and investors—can be a proactive catalyst for climate resilience across multiple levels of the economy—from assets, projects, firms and sectors; to the broader financial system and macroeconomy.
The interlinkages between human rights and climate change will be in the spotlight at various moments at COP31.
Environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) are essential to advancing climate justice, yet they continue to face intimidation, criminalization, and exclusion from climate decision-making. Over 100 organizations from all regions have published a joint NGO “Briefing for UNFCCC COP31 on Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs)” that sets out key priorities for COP31 that can translate recognition to action: protect civic space and participation, advance gender justice, put human rights into climate accountability, recognize defenders as climate actors, embed rights and safeguards in the Belém–Antalya Mechanism, and make adaptation inclusive. → Consult the briefing and statements from CIEL , FIDH and OMCT .
On Wednesday 11 November, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is organizing a side event, “Climate action and the right to science: implications for just transition, the GST, NDCs, and more”. The event will explore the role of the right to benefit from science in advancing effective climate action. Discussions will examine how the latest climate science can inform the Global Stocktake, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), biennial transparency reports (BTRs) and just transition processes.
Ahead of COP31, UN human rights experts urged Australia to match its role as co-host of the conference with stronger rights-based climate action. They called for accelerated efforts to phase out fossil fuels, align climate commitments with the 1.5°C pathway, and better protect communities, particularly children and Pacific Island populations, from the escalating impacts of climate change. The experts also welcomed a recent court ruling that strengthens consideration of climate impacts in project approval processes. These concerns have been brought to the attention of the Government of Australia. The experts acknowledged the reply received and look forward to continuing this dialogue at COP31 and in the lead up to the second International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. → Read more in the press release Australia’s global leadership must be underpinned by ambitious human rights-based climate action: UN experts issued on 5 November.
More than 40 side events and exhibits will explore issues ranging from climate justice and civic space to just transition and environmental defenders. International Geneva stakeholders, including UN human rights experts, the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights, Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment, Astrid Puentes Riaño, and UN Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders under UNECE Aarhus Convention, Michel Forst, will be actively engaged throughout the programme:
On the road to COP31, the Türkiye Presidency shared various letters informing about the preparations for the conference.
Ahead of COP31 in Antalya, important meetings contribute to the preparations and crete momentum towards the 2026 UN Climate Conference:
COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum , Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change visted Geneva in September 2026 . During his keynote address at the WMO, Minister Kurum emphasized the critical role of multilateral cooperation and science-based climate action, highlighting the strengthening of observation, forecasting and early warning systems as a key element of COP31’s implementation agenda. → Read more in the WMO article COP31 President-Designate addresses WMO
Climate change is deeply linked to biodiversity loss, human rights, economic prosperity, trade, health, and many other issues at the heart of multilateral processes in Geneva. These multilateral processes can be used to foster international cooperation on climate change. Below is a list of Geneva-based organizations and their engagement at COP31.
Together with Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Nepal, ICIMOD and Zoi Environment Network (ZOI), Adaptation at Altitude will be at COP31 to explore how mountain resilience can serve as an integrative framework for climate action, encompassing ecosystem resilience, transboundary cooperation, disaster risk reduction, loss and damage, agriculture, sustainable livelihoods.
The BRS Conventions will be at COP31, contributing their expertise, especially on the Zero Waste Action Agenda.
At COP31, CIEL experts will monitor and engage in negotiations, particularly at the intersection of climate justice, human rights, and the role of the fossil fuel industry.
The ECCP will be at COP31 to raise awareness about the importance of peace and conflict sensitivity in climate change negotiations.
Every year before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP), the Charter issues a statement on key challenges, priorities, and opportunities at each COP.
Gold Standard will be at COP31 contributing to vital discussions, strengthening important partnerships, and highlighting how Gold Standard’s approach and offerings can drive real impact. To, transforming ambition into real impact – for people, nature and the planet.
The IFRC’s Call to Action for the COP31 Climate Summit in November 2026 outlines our urgent appeal for action in three key areas critical to ensuring community resilience to the impacts of climate change: ensuring health and wellbeing, investment in people and communities and timing to get ahead of disasters.
IISD will follow closely COP31 discussions, offering support to negotiations and delivering daily reports on the decisions shaping global climate action.
At COP31, the ILO will participate as a UN observer, working with governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, providing technical advice and facilitating knowledge sharing to support the integration of decent work and social justice into climate decision-making and implementation.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is calling on global leaders to protect the rights and dignity of those living on the frontlines of the climate crisis, including migrants and displaced persons, Indigenous Peoples, and traditional and local communities. IOM’s pavilion will bring together stories and ideas from around the world, showing how communities are turning the challenges of climate change into opportunities for resilience and renewal.
IOE will participate in and co-organise panels and side events throughout the two weeks. These will highlight how enterprises can support a just transition through skills development, social dialogue, an enabling business environment and access to finance. IOE will also facilitate engagement between its member organisations, governments, international organisations and other key stakeholders.
The IPCC provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
The Standards Pavilion will return as a dedicated space for the international standards community and its partners to connect, collaborate and demonstrate how International Standards can help turn climate ambition into credible, practical action.
ITC will focus on ensuring that SMEs are recognized as key drivers of climate action and green trade.
The Green Digital Action initiative brings together partners worldwide to advance climate action through digital innovation.
By driving industry commitments, promoting innovative digital solutions, and strengthening global frameworks for monitoring and reporting, we’re laying the foundation for a sustainable digital future for all.
At COP31, the Nature Positive Initiative will bring the conversation about nature and climate action to the centre of global climate negotiations. As the world gathers to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement, we will highlight how achieving a nature-positive and net zero world by 2030 is essential to tackling the climate crisis and securing a sustainable future for all.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), informed by the resolutions and recommendationsi adopted by its 1500+ Members at successive World Conservation Congresses, would like to highlight 6 key messages
UN Human Rights aims to promote a human rights-based approach to climate action. We collaborate with partners to integrate human rights in environmental laws and policies. We support the inclusion of civil society in environmental decision-making, access to information and effective remedies for victims. We also advocate on behalf of human rights defenders, and conduct research to address human rights harms caused by environmental degradation.
The Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) will be at COP31, working with partners to bring attention to displacement in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change. This page brings together information on relevant events and PDD’s participation. Please check back regularly, as we will update it as further details become available.
The Santiago Network will be at COP31 — engaging with countries, communities, Members and partners to advance action on loss and damage.
TESS will be on the ground to support a range of initiatives seeking to promote inclusive cooperation and action on trade, climate, and sustainable development.
Aligned with its mandate, the UN Secretary-General’s climate action priorities and the incoming COP31 Presidency, UNDRR’s call to action focuses on four areas.
UNECE is engaged at COP31 to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, leveraging cooperation ad practical resources in key areas.
As an official observer organization to the UNFCCC process, UNEP FI will participate in COP31 discussions and events, contributing expertise on climate finance, adaptation, resilience, sustainable finance policy and the role of financial institutions in advancing climate goals.
UNHCR’s Innovative Financing Delegation will bring together governments, investors, financial institutions, private sector partners and humanitarian actors to explore how new forms of finance can support climate resilience, nature restoration, self-reliance and longer-term solutions for communities affected by displacement.
UNOPS supports countries in turning climate ambitions into action on the ground, delivering practical solutions in infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and sustainable procurement to strengthen climate resilience. UNOPS also enables the work of many multilateral initiatives that advance climate action, including Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), the NDC Partnership and the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT).
UNCTAD supports developing countries in addressing the links between trade, climate change and sustainable development. Its work helps countries align trade and climate policies, strengthen resilience, promote low-carbon economic diversification and support just and inclusive transitions.
At the Business Pavilion in the Blue Zone, We Mean Business Coalition and partners will bring together leading companies with ministers, negotiators, civil society and the media. The voice of responsible business can build momentum and get the right conditions in place for a well-managed energy transition – at the pace the world needs now.
WIPO GREEN will launch the fifth edition of its flagship WIPO Green Technology Book, Solutions for Restoring Climate-Impacted Ecosystems , at COP31
WBCSD will showcase business-led solutions, highlight measurable progress, and engage with governments to remove systemic barriers – ensuring that sustainability is embedded as a driver of long-term competitiveness and value creation.
COP31 Health Pavilion will convene the global health and climate community and key stakeholders across various sectors to ensure health and equity are placed at the centre of climate negotiations and help drive bold climate action. It will offer a rich 2-week programme of events showcasing evidence, initiatives and solutions to maximize the health benefits of tackling climate change across regions, sectors and communities.
At COP31, WMO will continue to support Parties by providing authoritative scientific observations and information on the state of the global climate system, including through the launch of its flagship State of Climate update 2026, a science-based annual assessment of climate indicators and impacts on Earth Information Day on 9 November 2026.
WTO will be at COP31 participating in various events especially in the Thematic Day dedicated to Finance and Trade.
WWF wants COP31 to show the global climate process has moved from promises to implementation. WWF calls for a major increase in climate finance and urges countries to build momentum through the Action Agenda and other initiatives that turn ambition into action.
Events taking place in Geneva in preparation for COP31 are listed below.
World Environment Day 2026 focuses on climate change — on the urgent signals the Earth is sending and the signals we choose to send back. The global campaign calls on all of us to step in #NowForClimate , and steer a world already in motion.
The traditional World Environment Day Celebration at the International Environment House on 5 June 2026 included a World Environment Day Breakfast offered by the host country, organized in parallel to the GENeva World Environment Day Forum showcasing how international Geneva is advancing the Climate Action, and back-to-back with the World Environment Day Dialogue building momentum towards the UN Climate Change Conference 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.
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