COP31 Climate Champions Open Global Climate Action Programme in Antalya

Antalya: COP31 opens in Antalya on Monday, 9 November 2026, and the COP31 climate champions have set the tone for the fortnight: the two-week Global Climate Action programme is now published, opening with a high-level event on Tuesday, 10 November. The programme brings governments together with businesses, cities, regions and civil society to turn climate pledges into delivered results.

Under the COP31 Presidency, Türkiye leads the Action Agenda while Australia leads the negotiations — a partnership model agreed between the two countries. The champions sit at the centre of that model: they are the bridge between the negotiating rooms and the businesses, cities, investors and communities whose action decides whether pledges become reality.

Who are the COP31 climate champions?

Samed Ağırbaş, president of Türkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation, was appointed COP31 Climate High-Level Champion by COP31 President Murat Kurum, the UNFCCC announced in January 2026. He leads the Global Climate Action Agenda and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action alongside Dan Ioschpe, the COP30 Climate High-Level Champion from Brazil.

The champions’ job is to mobilise ambitious climate action from businesses, cities, regions and financial institutions, supporting governments in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Their work runs through the Marrakech Partnership, the UNFCCC platform that connects non-Party stakeholders — companies, investors, cities, regions and civil society — with the formal negotiations.

A third champion speaks for the generation that will live with the outcomes. Sally Higgins, a farmer from Allora in Queensland’s Darling Downs, was appointed the COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion to elevate the voices of young people in international climate decision-making. Read Watan News’ report on Sally Higgins, the COP31 Youth Climate Champion.

A two-week programme built around implementation

The Climate High-Level Champions published the COP31 Global Climate Action events programme on 5 November. Across two weeks in Antalya, governments and non-Party stakeholders will come together to assess progress, share solutions and accelerate implementation across the six axes of the Global Climate Action Agenda.

Two events anchor the programme. The Opening Global Climate Action Event takes place on Tuesday, 10 November, from 17:00 to 19:00 in Special Event Room 4 (Perge) in the Blue Zone. The Mandated High-Level Event of Global Climate Action closes the programme on Thursday, 19 November, from 14:00 to 16:00 in Plenary Hall 2.

Between the two anchor events, the programme covers the breadth of the Action Agenda. On Wednesday, 18 November, the Heritage Adapts! event (14:30–15:30, Special Event Room 4) will show how cultural heritage is being put to work for climate adaptation, turning the cultural heritage target of the Global Goal on Adaptation into locally led implementation. The COP31 thematic days add further focus: Tuesday, 10 November is Energy and Transport day, and Wednesday, 11 November is Zero Waste day, as the World Leaders’ Summit begins.

The Presidency’s own priorities run through the programme: strengthening zero waste and the circular economy, accelerating the clean energy transition, supporting green and low-carbon industrialisation, building resilience in vulnerable regions, oceans and seas, supporting food security and sustainable agriculture, promoting climate-resilient and sustainable cities, and increasing the participation of young people.

FAKTA

• Conference: COP31, 9–20 November 2026, Antalya Expo Center, Antalya, Türkiye
• COP31 President: Murat Kurum; President of Negotiations: Chris Bowen (Australia)
• Climate High-Level Champions: Samed Ağırbaş (COP31) and Dan Ioschpe (COP30)
• Youth Climate Champion: Sally Higgins (Australia)
• Opening Global Climate Action Event: Tuesday, 10 November, 17:00–19:00, Special Event Room 4 (Perge), Blue Zone
• Mandated High-Level Event: Thursday, 19 November, 14:00–16:00, Plenary Hall 2
• World Leaders’ Summit: 11–12 November 2026

Why this COP is framed around delivery

In his first letter to parties, COP31 President Murat Kurum set out three guiding principles — Dialogue, Consensus and Action — and a promise to make COP31 a “COP of the Future”: implementation-focused, inclusive and balanced, turning commitments into measurable and practical results. Read Watan News’ report on Samed Ağırbaş, the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion.

The warning from the top of the United Nations is stark. Secretary-General António Guterres has called the summit a “moment of truth” for climate action, according to Associated Press reporting ahead of the conference. Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency reported in October that more than 100,000 people from 197 countries were expected in Antalya for the summit.

The science will be in the room from day one: COP31 opens on 9 November with Earth Information Day, when the World Meteorological Organization releases its State of the Global Climate 2026 update. Read Watan News’ report on Earth Information Day at COP31.

Whether Antalya is remembered for delivery will be judged at the end of the fortnight — but the champions’ programme makes the test explicit: two weeks of events where businesses, cities and communities must show what they are doing, not only what they have promised.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the COP31 climate champions?

Samed Ağırbaş, president of Türkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation, is the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion, and Dan Ioschpe is the COP30 Climate High-Level Champion. Together they lead the Global Climate Action Agenda and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, mobilising businesses, cities, regions and financial institutions behind the Paris Agreement goals.

When does the Global Climate Action programme open?

The Opening Global Climate Action Event takes place on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, from 17:00 to 19:00 in Special Event Room 4 (Perge) in the Blue Zone of the Antalya Expo Center.

What is the Global Climate Action Agenda?

It is the COP’s platform for climate action beyond government negotiations, run through the Marrakech Partnership. It brings together businesses, cities, regions, investors and civil society to implement the Paris Agreement, organised around six axes covering areas such as zero waste, clean energy, resilient cities, food systems and oceans.

When is the closing high-level event?

The Mandated High-Level Event of Global Climate Action takes place on Thursday, 19 November 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 in Plenary Hall 2, closing the two-week programme.

Who is the COP31 Youth Climate Champion?

Sally Higgins, a farmer from Allora in Queensland’s Darling Downs, Australia, was appointed the COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion. Her role is to elevate the perspectives and voices of young people in international climate decision-making and COP31 outcomes.