Africa: World Leaders Gather for COP31 in Türkiye

What the report says

World leaders, climate negotiators and other stakeholders are gathering in Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31, which is set to run from November 9 to 20, according to Ghanaian Times via AllAfrica. The conference comes as countries face pressure to move beyond pledges and deliver practical steps to curb rising temperatures and respond to intensifying climate impacts.

The report says the talks will center on emissions cuts, climate finance, adaptation and the shift to cleaner energy. A key thread is implementation of the Paris Agreement, including the goal of keeping warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Governments, scientists, businesses and civil society groups are all expected to take part.

The article also notes African-related participation and advocacy around the summit. The Jospong Group of Companies is presenting waste-management and circular-economy projects at the Green Zone, while contributing US$50,000 to support Ghana’s COP31 preparations. Separately, ECOWAS has been pressing for greater climate finance for vulnerable West African countries ahead of the meeting, after a regional workshop in Accra.

The conference will be led by Türkiye’s environment minister, Murat Kurum, as COP31 president, with Australia’s Chris Bowen heading the negotiations. A World Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for November 11 and 12.