Stating that as a manifestation of this development, the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will be held in Antalya between 9-20 November, Ersoy stated that the biggest problems that threaten all humanity will be discussed under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political leadership, First Lady Erdoğan's social leadership and the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum.
Hoping that COP31 will be beneficial for Turkey and that it will serve humanity and the world as a serious table of ideas, communication and solutions regarding the problems in its area of responsibility, Ersoy emphasized that the quality and capacity in facilities, strong infrastructure moves and the diversity and comfort of the transportation network played an important role in the rise of Antalya.
Stating that, as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they serve Antalya with a versatile perspective, Minister Ersoy said, "We have invested 19.2 billion liras in culture and tourism in Antalya in the last 24 years." he said.
In this context, Ersoy stated that Antalya Elmalı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır Cultural Center was brought to the city with an investment of 527 million liras, and that the physical realization of the Antalya İbradı Ormana Cultural Center worth 66.6 million liras has reached 99 percent, the temporary acceptance process is continuing and the center is planned to be put into service this month.
Ersoy also noted that 141 million liras of support was provided to 8 projects within the scope of the Support for Public Cultural Investments Project, and the total current value of the support given to the infrastructure investments made in Antalya between 2002 and 2026 and the tourism infrastructure projects of local governments reached approximately 18.1 billion liras.
Referring to the wastewater treatment plant investments made to ensure the sustainability of Antalya tourism and to prevent sea pollution, Ersoy said that the Serik 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves the Serik Region and Belek Tourism Center, was completed and put into service in 2021, and the Boğazkent Pumping Center and promotion works were put into operation at the end of 2022. He reported that the current cost of the project is 4.4 billion lira.
Stating that the Antalya Kemer-Çamyuva Wastewater Treatment Plant and Related Infrastructure Facilities, the construction of which started in February 2023, was completed and put into operation in April 2024, Ersoy stated that the current cost of this project is 3.6 billion lira.
Stating that they have started to work on the new infrastructure need arising from the intensity of tourism in the Kadriye-Belek region, ongoing construction and population growth, Ersoy stated that the construction of sewerage promotion lines and additional final settling pools and disc filter disinfection unit to the Serik Wastewater Treatment Plant is continuing. Stating that when the works are completed, the Çandır Package Treatment Plant will be deactivated and the wastewater of the region will be treated in the Serik Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ersoy said that these works also constitute an important step of the preparation process for COP31.
Stating that the investments made in Antalya have given serious impetus to the development of the city and enabled it to become an international brand in tourism, Ersoy reminded that there were 523 accommodation facilities with operating licenses and 150 thousand 955 beds in Antalya in 2002.
Explaining that today the number of accommodation facilities with operating licenses has increased more than 5 times to 2 thousand 709, and the bed capacity has increased more than 4 times to 619 thousand 644, Ersoy said that this growth brings with it new needs.
Stating that they acted in serious cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change while responding to these needs, Ersoy said that Minister Murat Kurum and his colleagues worked intensively for Antalya within the scope of COP31 preparations.
Stating that the ongoing work in the field of EXPO has the capacity and quality to highlight Antalya for major international organizations, Ersoy announced that approximately 38 kilometers of new road construction has been carried out in the field of transportation.
Stating that the new transportation investment covers 4 main arterial roads and 12 hotel connection roads, Ersoy stated that in addition to the new roads, road improvement, regulation and superstructure manufacturing were carried out by taking into account the existing road conditions and route features.
Ersoy said that a holistic transportation project has been implemented with works from intersections to sidewalks and road lighting.
