The key facts

  • The COP31 leaders' summit opened in Antalya, Turkey
  • Emine Erdogan called the forum one of the most important meetings of global climate diplomacy
  • She expressed hope for progress on climate justice and protection of nature

Opening of the COP31 leaders' summit

The COP31 leaders' summit — the UN climate change conference — has opened in Antalya. The wife of Turkey's president, Emine Erdogan, said that heads of state and government attended the opening ceremony together with their spouses. She shared her impressions in a post on the Turkish platform NSosyal, written at the summit venue.

Statement by Emine Erdogan

“Turkey feels great pride in hosting one of the most important meetings of global climate diplomacy,” her statement, published on the day of the opening, reads. Erdogan expressed hope that the summit will deliver results in the area of climate justice, place the protection of nature at its core, and give new momentum to global cooperation. It is also noted that the first lady received recognition from the UN for the “zero waste” initiative she promotes at the national and international levels. Her statement did not mention any specific decisions or agreements reached by the summit participants.