cop 31 leaders summit

COP31 began on Monday (9) in Antalya, Turkey. The event will bring together representatives from almost 200 countries to discuss action against climate change until November 20th.

The conference will have unprecedented shared leadership. Turkey will assume the official presidency, while Australia will be in charge of conducting negotiations between foreign delegations.

Among the main topics under debate is the Turkish goal of reaching 35% of electricity in global energy consumption by 2035.

Negotiations will also address climate finance. Countries seek to establish paths to triple adaptation resources and regulate the Just Transition Mechanism.

World leaders speak this Wednesday (11) at the plenary session of the COP31 Leaders' Summit. In their speeches, the leaders present their proposals on combating climate change and financing the green transition.

At the opening of the event, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated that the climate crisis is advancing at a worrying pace, surpassing the efforts that have been made to combat it to date.

As examples, he cited the record emissions of 2025 and the historic heat marks that are being surpassed.

"Climate disasters are devastating lives, livelihoods and economies around the world. This is the path to mutual destruction," he said.

See below the highlights of the speeches of the main leaders who spoke.

Anthony Alban

About COP31

Entrance to the venue that will host COP31, the UN climate conference, between November 9 and 20, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey. — Photo: UN Climate Change/Kiara Worth

The 31st United Nations (UN) Climate Conference, COP31, began on Monday (9), in Antalya, Turkey.

There will be two weeks of negotiations on the future of global action against climate change.

Representatives from almost 200 countries, as well as scientists, environmentalists, businesspeople and members of civil society, participate in the meeting, which continues until November 20th.

Among the main issues on the agenda are reducing dependence on oil, gas and coal, climate financing and the measures necessary to prepare countries for the impacts of global warming.

The conference will also be marked by an unprecedented situation: Turkey will hold the official presidency, but Australia will be responsible for conducting negotiations between the countries.

At the opening, Brazil formally handed over the presidency of COP30, held since the conference held in Belém, in November last year.

Despite the change, the Brazilian delegation will continue to play an important role in the discussions, mainly in the attempt to continue the so-called "road maps" for the energy transition and the fight against deforestation.

The documents, presented by Brazil last Tuesday (3), propose measures to gradually reduce dependence on fossil fuels and stop the destruction of forests by 2030.