Lula to Attend COP31 in Antalya as Brazil Hands Presidency to Türkiye

Antalya: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, the Brazilian presidency confirmed on Friday, 30 October, according to Reuters. The confirmation came shortly after Lula was re-elected president of Brazil.

Lula is scheduled to arrive in Antalya on 10 November for the leaders’ summit on 11–12 November, at the annual United Nations climate negotiations. COP31, the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, runs from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya.

Leaders’ summit on 11–12 November

The leaders’ summit brings heads of state and government together at the start of the second week of negotiations. After Antalya, Lula will travel to the Philippines on 13 November for the ASEAN summit, to which he was invited for the second consecutive year, Reuters reported.

So far, 77 heads of state and government have confirmed their participation in the summit, according to the report. In addition to Brazil, United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would attend.

A handover from Brazil to Türkiye

Lula will hand over the COP presidency to Türkiye, which will oversee the conference over the next year under a shared arrangement with Australia, which is coordinating the diplomatic negotiations. Türkiye holds the COP31 presidency and hosts the conference and the World Leaders’ Summit, while Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, serves as COP31 President-Designate.

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, serves as President of Negotiations, leading the conduct of the negotiations in consultation with Türkiye. The arrangement was agreed between the two countries and sets out how the presidency and the negotiating work are shared.

What COP31 must deliver

COP31 is framed by its presidency as an implementation conference, focused on turning existing climate commitments into action. The presidency has already put zero waste at the centre of its Action Agenda, with waste identified as a major source of methane emissions — a theme Watan News covered in its earlier report on the COP31 zero-waste and methane agenda. Finance, adaptation and mitigation tracks, along with the rules for carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, are among the negotiating areas delegations will work through in Antalya.

Key facts

• COP31 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026.
• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrives on 10 November for the leaders’ summit on 11–12 November.
• Brazil hands the COP presidency to Türkiye; Australia coordinates the diplomatic negotiations.
• 77 heads of state and government have confirmed their participation so far, according to Reuters.
• After Antalya, Lula travels to the Philippines on 13 November for the ASEAN summit.

Conclusion

Lula’s confirmed attendance closes the circle on Brazil’s presidency year: the country that hosted COP30 hands the gavel to Türkiye in Antalya, with 77 leaders already confirmed for a summit meant to move climate promises into delivery.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is COP31?

COP31 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. It is the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

When will Lula arrive in Antalya?

According to Reuters, citing the Brazilian presidency, Lula is scheduled to arrive on 10 November for the leaders’ summit on 11–12 November.

What does the handover to Türkiye mean?

Türkiye takes over the COP presidency and will oversee the conference over the next year. Under a shared arrangement, Australia coordinates the diplomatic negotiations, with Chris Bowen serving as President of Negotiations.

Who leads the COP31 presidency?

Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, is COP31 President-Designate.

How many leaders have confirmed attendance?

So far, 77 heads of state and government have confirmed their participation, according to Reuters. United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham is among those who said they would attend.