Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made a written statement regarding COP31 preparations. Minister Ersoy stated that they will introduce Türkiye's international organization capacity, sustainable tourism efforts and cultural richness to international participants with a wide program and said, "COP31 is an important opportunity to introduce our country's cultural richness and tourism potential to the world. We carry out our preparations with an understanding ranging from international cooperation to culture and art events, from climate awareness to the permanent opportunities we will bring to Antalya."
'TOURISM AND CULTURAL HERITAGE DAY EVENTS WILL BE HELD'
Minister Ersoy stated that all official delegation participants can visit the museums and historical sites affiliated with the ministry in Antalya free of charge during COP31. Stating that the night museum practice will be continued in Side Ruins, Ersoy stated that they will allow the participants to get to know the historical and cultural riches of Antalya outside of the meetings. Ersoy, who announced that they will organize Tourism and Cultural Heritage Day events through the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency on November 18, noted that the future of sustainable tourism, transformation in the sector and sustainable investments will be evaluated in four panels with the participation of 19 panelists and four moderators. Ersoy gave the following information about the content of the program:
"We will discuss the preservation of cultural heritage, the place of gastronomy in tourism and the transfer of local values to future generations; we will share the work we have carried out within the scope of our Heritage to the Future Project. Within the scope of this program, we plan to host approximately 40 guests consisting of international tour operators, online travel platforms and leading representatives of the tourism industry."
'THE WAY WILL PAVE FOR NEW COOPERATIONS'
Stating that they will introduce the natural, historical and cultural riches of Antalya to the decision makers of the sector with the prepared city tour and experience program, Ersoy noted that they aim to pave the way for new collaborations with these meetings.
'37 WORKS OF THE STONE HILLS WILL BE EXHIBITED AT COP31'
Minister Ersoy announced that they have prepared an exhibition with the theme of Stone Hills in the Blue Area section of COP31, which will include 37 archaeological artifacts in the inventory of Şanlıurfa Museum. Stating that the exhibition will tell about the transition of human communities to settled life in the Neolithic period, their artistic production and their relationship with their environment, Ersoy said, "We find it meaningful to introduce this heritage, which carries humanity's relationship with nature from thousands of years ago to the present, at a meeting where the common future of the world is discussed."
Regarding Ahmet Adnan Saygun's Yunus Emre Oratorio, which will be performed by Antalya State Opera and Ballet at the Congress Center on November 9 at 18.00, Minister Ersoy stated that they will convey Yunus Emre's love for humanity and universal messages to the guests through the unifying language of music.
'CLIMATE LIBRARY WILL MEET VISITORS'
Stating that they will introduce a climate library to visitors for the first time in the history of the Conferences of the Parties, Ersoy said that free access to reliable climate information will be offered with 1,800 books in the area prepared with the understanding of 'From Knowledge to Awareness, from Awareness to Action'. Ersoy said, 'We will share the experience of our Rami Library, which was selected as the world's first in the Large-Scale Project category in IFLA's 2026 Green Library Awards, with international participants. "Our humanoid robot Bilgi will guide visitors in different languages on November 17-19," he said.
Stating that the equipment of the Climate Library, designed using recycled materials, will be re-evaluated in public libraries after the conference, Ersoy noted that the books are planned to be added to the Climate Libraries to be created in Antalya Tekelioğlu and Burdur Provincial Public Libraries. Ersoy emphasized that he will contribute to the spread of climate literacy through panels and library events across the country.
'AFTER COP31 IS ALREADY PLANNING'
Stating that they are carrying out promotional activities together with the COP31 Presidency that highlight Antalya's tourism values and Türkiye's sustainability efforts, Ersoy stated that they will make it easier for participants to discover the city with digital platforms, GoTürkiye connections, directions at historical sites and special photo panels. Ersoy stated that they also prepared visual content for 'EXPO Antalya Children's Island'. Emphasizing that they are already planning after COP31, Minister Ersoy explained their goals for the EXPO area as follows:
"After the organization, we will evaluate the Antalya EXPO area as a fair, congress and event center on an international scale. We will establish a structure consisting of professionals under the umbrella of TGA for the area, which will be operated by our Ministry, and carry out management, event planning and international marketing activities. Our goal is to make Antalya one of the world's leading destinations in MICE tourism, which includes meetings, incentive travel, congress and fair organizations."
Minister Ersoy stated that they aim to create a new activity area for tourists and Antalya residents in the summer months and to attract visitors to the city with international organizations in the winter and spring periods, and that they will expand tourism throughout the year by completing Antalya's strong accommodation and transportation infrastructure with this center. For this purpose, Ersoy announced that they plan to host approximately 15 guests, consisting of international fair, congress and event organizers, press members and industry decision-makers, on a special promotional tour between 17-19 November, and noted that they will establish connections for future events by introducing the capacity and organization opportunities of the EXPO area on-site.
Minister Ersoy made the following assessment regarding the permanent contribution of COP31 to Antalya:
"We want to transform the EXPO area into a center that lives throughout the year, brings visitors to our city and enriches culture and arts life. We aim for a wide range of people, from our hotels to our travel agencies, from food and beverage establishments to our tradesmen, to benefit from this gain, and to turn the international visibility created by COP31 into permanent collaborations."
