Museums and historical sites in Antalya are free for COP31 participants

Evaluating the preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Minister Ersoy said that they will introduce Turkey's international organization capacity, sustainable tourism activities and cultural richness to international participants with an extensive program.

Ersoy 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 cultural and artistic events, from climate awareness to the permanent opportunities we will bring to Antalya." he said.

Minister Ersoy stated that all official delegation participants can visit the museums and historical sites of 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 provide the participants with the opportunity 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 4 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."

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 said that they aim to pave the way for new collaborations with these meetings.

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 transition of human communities to settled life in the Neolithic Period, their artistic production and their relationship with their environment will be explained in the exhibition, 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." made his assessment.

As part of the art program, Antalya State Opera and Ballet will perform Ahmed Adnan Saygun's Yunus Emre Oratorio at the Congress Center on November 9 at 18.30. Ersoy stated that they will convey Yunus Emre's love for humanity and universal messages to the guests through the unifying language of music.

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 provided 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 at IFLA's 2026 Green Library Awards, with international participants. Our humanoid robot Bilgi will also guide visitors in different languages ​​on 17-19 November." 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 they will contribute to the spread of climate literacy through panels and library events across the country.

Sustainable tourism; Stating that they carry out their activities with an understanding that includes the protection of natural and cultural heritage, efficient use of resources and ensuring that local people benefit more from tourism, Ersoy also touched upon the digitalization and renewable energy studies in museums.

Ersoy said, "We have created a digital inventory record of approximately 1.2 million cultural assets through the Museum National Information System. We aim to meet the energy needs from renewable sources and reduce carbon emissions by implementing the Solar Power Plant Project in our four museums first." He made a statement.

Stating that they evaluate conservation, visitor experience and energy efficiency together in their Heritage to the Future and night museum studies, Ersoy said that they attach importance to the preservation of original materials, on-site repair and reuse in restorations.

Ersoy also noted that while re-functioning historical buildings, they are carrying out work to make cultural assets more resistant to environmental risks such as extreme temperature, flood, humidity and fire.

Emphasizing that they attach importance to local development in the collaborations developed with the United Nations Development Program and other stakeholders, Ersoy stated that they aim to support energy efficiency, local production and participation of local communities in tourism with studies such as the SENTRUM approach and the rural tourism project being developed in Bolu Göynük.

Stating that they are carrying out promotional activities highlighting Antalya's tourism values ​​and Turkey's sustainability efforts together with the COP31 Presidency, Ersoy said 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 for the post-COP31 period, Minister Ersoy explained his goals for the EXPO area, which he expressed at the opening of the Antalya Culture Road Festival, 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 corporate 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."

Stating 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, Ersoy stated 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 are planning 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 said that they will establish connections for future events by introducing the capacity and organization opportunities of the EXPO area on-site.