The key facts

  • The Guterres–von der Leyen meeting took place on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya
  • They discussed UN-EU partnership, climate goals, the Middle East and Ukraine
  • The parties emphasized the importance of sustained EU leadership in climate policy

Meeting on the Sidelines of the Climate Conference

UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN climate conference COP31, which is taking place in Antalya, Turkey. This was stated in a message released by the UN Secretary-General's office.

What the Parties Discussed

According to Guterres' office, the interlocutors discussed the ongoing partnership between the UN and the European Union across all areas of UN activity, the work of COP31 itself, as well as the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine. Within the climate agenda, attention focused on the importance of sustained EU leadership in the fight against climate change.

Context of the Conference

COP31 is taking place in Antalya, where international delegations have gathered for negotiations on global decarbonization goals and the mobilization of climate financing. The meeting between Guterres and von der Leyen was one of the bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum; no specific agreements resulting from it were mentioned in the released statement.