The key facts

  • Erdogan declared the goal of leaving a “cleaner, greener and fairer world” to future generations
  • COP31 is being held in Turkey for the first time: Antalya, until November 20, 196 parties and the EU
  • The leaders' summit brought together more than 100 leaders from 95 countries and seven international organizations

Speech at the climate summit in Antalya

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the theme of a legacy for future generations on Wednesday at COP31, the UN climate change conference being held in Turkey for the first time. “The most valuable legacy we can leave to future generations, before the world becomes unfit for life, is a cleaner, greener and fairer world,” Anadolu quotes Erdogan from his social media post. “As Turkey, we are paving the way today and setting a very significant goal,” he added. The post was accompanied by a video with footage from COP31.

The scale of the conference

During the leaders' summit in Antalya, Erdogan also signed a commemorative plaque bearing the COP31 logo at the Antalya EXPO Center exhibition venue. The conference opened on Monday and will run until November 20, bringing together 196 parties and the European Union. The leaders' summit, which Erdogan is hosting on Wednesday and Thursday, has gathered more than 100 leaders representing 95 countries from six continents, as well as seven international organizations.