According to the statement made by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, arrangements have been completed in the COP31 Area, which was prepared for the 12-day organization with the participation of 196 countries party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the European Union.
In this context, the Leaders' Summit will be held in the Blue Zone on 11-12 November, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
To date, leaders from 102 countries and more than 300 ministers have attended the conference, and applications for 160 approved pavilions and 90 approved delegation offices have been received for the COP31 Area.
In addition to the United Nations Development Programme, the UN, the UN General Assembly, the European Commission, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the International Energy Agency will also participate in COP31 at the leadership level.
At the summit, where Türkiye's COP31 Presidency will be chaired by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, leaders of 196 countries and the EU will discuss their commitments, policies and solution proposals against the climate crisis.
Turkey aims to realize the "Implementation COP" vision for the world, which adopts the principle of developing understanding through dialogue, taking common responsibility through compromise, and transforming commitments into real solutions through action.
In this context, the 10 priority topics of the COP31 Action Agenda announced by the Minister Institution consist of "Zero Waste, Clean Energy Conversion / Electrification, Food Security, Climate Resilient Cities, Climate Implementation Bridge, Green Industrialization, Youth and Education, Oceans and Seas, Rio Synergy, Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems".
It is expected that 1.5 million people will visit the Green Zone
Türkiye will host COP31 in a total area of 1 million 100 thousand square meters, of which 527 thousand square meters is the Blue Zone and 582 thousand square meters is the Green Zone.
Within the Blue Zone, planned as an official negotiation area managed under the authority of the United Nations, heads of state and ministers, national delegations, accredited observers and international organizations will conduct official negotiations that shape global climate policy.
Nearly 100 thousand visitors, including country delegations, are expected to come to the Blue Zone.
In the Green Zone, the private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations, youth representatives, technology startups and innovators will meet to share climate solutions, establish partnerships and showcase innovative projects. It is expected that 1.5 million people will visit Türkiye's Green Zone.
Additionally, more than 45 thousand climate volunteers from 154 countries have been accredited for COP31 to date.
Zero Waste and the construction of the century are at the top of Türkiye's showcase
On the other hand, Türkiye will show the implementation of the issues discussed in the negotiations in the Green Zone.
The global climate movement Zero Waste and the 455 thousand climate-resistant houses built by Türkiye in 11 provinces after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes that occurred on February 6 will be showcased in the Green Zone.
The applications of 12 thematic topics, such as how green energy is used, how Zero Waste is managed, and where food comes from, will be shown to the participants on the field.
Accordingly, Food, Agriculture and Health on 9 November, Energy and Transportation on 10 November, Zero Waste on 11 November, Resilient Cities and Built Environment on 12 November, Finance and Commerce on 13 November, Children, Youth, Education and Skills on 14 November, A Breath in Antalya on 15 November, Industry, Science and Technology on 16 November, Ocean, Seas, Nature and Land on 17 November. Utilization-Rio Synergy, Human and Social Development on 18 November, Imece: Strengthening the Implementation on 19 November, Final Negotiations in the Blue Zone, and Financing and Incentives Day in the Green Zone will be held on 20 November.
Application areas and COPArt will attract attention
On the other hand, there will be COP application areas for women, children and youth in the Green Zone.
The Zero Waste Museum, designed by the Zero Waste Foundation with five leaves and a size of 10 thousand square meters, was established in the Blue Zone in the event area. In the Green Zone, thematic spaces were created through the Zero Waste Application and Workshop Center to provide practical explanations of waste reduction, separation, reuse and circular economy processes, especially to children and young people.
This approach will be carried outside the conference area and Solak Village, Demirciler Village and Ormana Village will inspire local and foreign participants as Zero Waste Villages.
Red Crescent's Environment and Child-Friendly Mobile Truck and TÜÇA Environmental Truck will be located on the Children's Island in the Green Zone. Additionally, a Children's Activity Village will be established by AFAD.
At COP31, awareness will be raised to large masses not only through scientific and technical data, but also through art and culture.
The entire COP31 Area in Antalya will also be used as an open and closed art gallery within the scope of the COPArt Project. Under the theme "COPArt: Still Possible", a call to action for climate action will be made through different forms of art, from paintings to exhibitions, from panels to open-air installations.
Sustainable culinary culture will meet the world at COP31
On the other hand, the Anatolian Garden in the Green Zone will convey to visitors the accumulation of civilization from the Hittites to the Phrygians, from the Lydians to the Lycians, from Rome and Byzantium to the Seljuks and Ottomans, on the axis of harmony with nature, hospitality and sustainable life.
With the "7 Regions 7 Cuisines" approach, Anatolia's deep-rooted gastronomy heritage, local flavors and sustainable culinary culture will be introduced to the world at COP31.
Mediterranean Cuisine, Gaziantep Cuisine, Kayseri Cuisine, Zero Waste Cuisine, Turkish World Cuisine, Konya Cuisine and Black Sea Cuisine will be offered to visitors. Thus, while original tastes from different geographies of Türkiye will be introduced, the concept of sustainable gastronomy, which feeds locally, reduces waste and carries the cultural heritage to the future, will become one of the important experience areas of COP31.
In the Blue Zone, the Tropical Butterfly Garden will offer visitors an interactive experience in terms of nature, ecosystems and biodiversity.
COP31 will be held as a sustainable event model in which low-emission transportation, Zero Waste, water and energy efficiency and carbon balancing practices are implemented in a holistic manner, in line with ISO 20121 standards.
In line with the principle of "Leaving No One Behind", a comprehensive accessibility infrastructure will be created to ensure equal and effective participation of all participants in the conference, from barrier-free area design to accessible guidance systems, from 35 sign language translators to voice guidance and real-time subtitle support.
Turkish brands will be present in food and beverage areas at COP31, and most of the products will be supplied from local and regional producers, supporting farmers in Antalya and its surroundings.
