Thousands of delegates gather in Antalya, Turkey, as COP31 opens under the joint presidency of Turkey and Australia for annual UN climate negotiations.

COP31 opened in Antalya, Turkey on Nov. 8, drawing thousands of delegates, lobbyists and journalists to the United Nations climate summit.

Co‑hosting nations

Turkey and Australia share responsibility for the event, each providing logistical support and diplomatic coordination. UN officials said the joint hosting reflects the broad geographic interest in climate action.

Scale of participation

More than 10,000 participants have arrived in the coastal city, representing governments, civil‑society groups and media outlets. The influx has spurred a surge in hotel bookings and local transportation demand.

Negotiation kickoff

With the opening ceremony concluded, negotiators began work on the conference agenda. Discussions will address emission‑reduction targets, reporting mechanisms and long‑term climate finance, as outlined in prior UN frameworks.

Timeline and expectations

The summit is scheduled to run for two weeks, after which a final declaration will be presented to the UN General Assembly. Participants expect the document to set the tone for climate policy through 2030.

Local impact

Antalya authorities reported heightened security measures and expanded public services to accommodate the event. Local businesses reported increased sales, while environmental groups organized parallel public exhibitions on climate awareness.