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Md Mohsin Hossain, Antalya, Türkiye: Antalya, a historic city adorned with ancient Roman and Ottoman architecture and surrounded by lush greenery, is known as Türkiye’s tourism capital. Its blue Mediterranean waters, mountains and picturesque natural landscape have long made it a favourite destination for tourists. But the city is now attracting global attention for another reason: it is hosting the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP31.
Heads of state and government, policymakers, researchers, environmentalists and representatives of international organisations from around 190 countries, including Bangladesh, are attending the conference. A high-level Bangladeshi delegation led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also arrived in Antalya on Tuesday to take part in the summit.
Climate finance, adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing climate-induced loss and damage, and strengthening global cooperation are among the key issues on the agenda. Bangladesh and other climate-vulnerable countries are particularly keen to see how world leaders respond to the demand for greater financial support and the implementation of existing commitments.
COP31 was formally inaugurated at 11am local time on Monday (November 9) at the Antalya Expo Centre. Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Murat Kurum is presiding over the conference as its president, while Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen is overseeing the negotiations. The 11-day conference will continue until November 20.
Surrounded by greenery, Antalya offers a striking winter landscape, with mountains on one side and the blue waters of the Mediterranean on the other. The city’s scenic setting has now become a meeting point for delegates, environmental activists, researchers and journalists from across the world, all seeking ways to address the climate crisis.
A visit to the conference venue on Tuesday afternoon revealed a lively presence of environmental campaigners, media professionals and representatives of non-governmental organisations. Some were taking part in discussions, while others were presenting their work at national pavilions or exchanging views on the effects of climate change and possible solutions.
Richard Julius, an environmental activist from the Netherlands, was impressed by the city.
“What a wonderful city! It is truly refreshing. I have come here to attend COP31,” he said.
Referring to the conference agenda, he added: “The most important question now is how to support countries affected by climate change.”
Located on the Mediterranean coast in southwestern Türkiye, Antalya occupies a strategic position connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Its international airport, developed transport network, ample hotel accommodation and facilities for hosting large international events make it a suitable venue for a conference of this scale.
Shahbaz Khan, a Pakistani student at Sabanci University in Istanbul, said the weather had been unusually cold.
“It has been drizzling in Istanbul since morning, and it is bitterly cold. The weather was not like this at the same time last year. What is the reason?” he asked.
Speaking about climate change, he said the world was undergoing significant changes and that attention was now focused on the Antalya conference.
“Everyone is watching COP31 in Türkiye. We are waiting to see what role developed countries play and what agreements are reached. Previous COP conferences involved extensive discussions, but questions remain about whether the commitments have been implemented as expected,” he said.
Explaining why Antalya might have been selected as the conference venue, Shahbaz said its geographical location was an important factor.
“In my analysis, its geographical position is one of the main reasons. Antalya serves as a bridge between civilisations and cultures. An international city like this can play an important role in narrowing the gap between diplomatic commitments on climate issues and their implementation on the ground,” he said.
Sonario, an environmental activist from Italy, said the Mediterranean city itself faced serious climate-related challenges, including water shortages, rising temperatures and sea-level rise.
“One of the main objectives of this conference should be to bring the real impacts of the climate crisis to the negotiating table and find ways to address them,” she said.
Pavilions representing Bangladesh and several other countries have been set up at the conference venue. They are showcasing national climate initiatives, environmental conservation programmes and related projects. Various international organisations and non-governmental groups are also taking part.
The full name of COP is the Conference of the Parties. Since the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992, its member countries have met annually to discuss ways to address the global climate crisis. The first COP conference was held in Berlin, Germany, in 1995.
Heads of state and government, delegates, scientists, researchers and environmentalists from around the world attend the annual conferences. Their central objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, mobilising finance for affected countries and strengthening international cooperation.
Arifuzzaman Mamun, chairman of the Bangladesh Climate Action and Justice Foundation, said Bangladesh expected the conference to deliver greater financial support for climate-vulnerable countries.
“Bangladesh now wants implementation, not just promises. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will place specific proposals before world leaders on this issue,” he said.
He said countries located close to sea level faced extreme risks from global climate change.
“If corrective measures are not taken now, these countries will face an extremely difficult situation in the coming years. There is no more room for delay,” he added.
Antalya Airport is about 20 kilometres from the Expo Centre, the conference venue. Welcome to Antalya billboards have been installed at various points along the road connecting the airport to the venue. The conference area has also been decorated with the Turkish national flag and the flags of participating countries.
A large media centre has been set up for journalists, with facilities for news gathering, information exchange and other professional activities. Free Wi-Fi is also available. Participants are being provided with water, drinks, chocolates, apples and other fruits.
One of the major events of COP31 is the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, a two-day gathering scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Heads of state and government from various countries are expected to attend. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will take part in the summit on Wednesday (November 11).
Alongside his participation in the conference, the prime minister is scheduled to hold meetings on the sidelines with several world leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Antalya has thus become more than a tourism destination. It is now an important meeting point for global climate diplomacy. The world is watching to see whether developed countries turn their commitments into concrete action, whether climate-vulnerable nations gain better access to finance and whether world leaders can reach meaningful agreements to tackle the climate crisis.