The key facts

  • The COP31 leaders' summit is held in Antalya on 11–12 November; Erdogan and Guterres will deliver opening remarks
  • Turkey proposes raising electricity's share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035
  • The conference runs until 20 November; the presidency is held by Turkey, with negotiations led by Australian minister Chris Bowen

Leaders' Summit in Antalya

A two-day summit of heads of state and government opens in Antalya on 11 November as part of the UN COP31 climate conference, which began on Monday and will run until 20 November. The opening will take place at the Antalya Expo Center, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will deliver speeches. Over the two days, leaders will present national statements; round tables and bilateral meetings are also scheduled.

Electrification as a Priority of the Turkish Presidency

The Turkish presidency of the conference has placed electrification at the center of the agenda — replacing fuels used directly in transport, buildings and industry with electricity, for example through the switch to electric vehicles and heat pumps. Turkey is seeking support for a proposal to raise electricity's share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035. Negotiators are also aiming for progress on the issue of moving away from fossil fuels.

Who Is Speaking and What Comes Next on the Program

Speakers are expected to include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose country hosted the climate talks last year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine. Also listed are UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Turkey holds the conference presidency, while the negotiating process is led by Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen. Wednesday's program is devoted to zero waste, Thursday's to the climate resilience of cities and buildings, and Friday's to finance and trade. The high-level segment will resume on 17–18 November for countries whose leaders did not speak during the two-day summit.