COP31 Faces Trust Test as Three Climate Presidencies Meet at UN in New York

Less than a month before COP31 opens in Antalya, representatives of three successive UN climate presidencies gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York, putting COP31 trust at the centre of the agenda: how can the world restore trust in climate action when the damage of a warming planet is already being felt. The high-level meeting, “A Planet Fit for the Future: Restoring Trust through Climate Action”, was convened on 16 October 2026 by UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman, and brought together the COP30, COP31 and COP32 presidencies alongside Australia, which is leading the COP31 negotiations.

Opening the session, Rahman evoked the recent devastation in Nepal, where a wall of water swept down a mountain valley, destroying homes and communities. He warned that this year’s strengthening El Niño could be among the strongest since at least 1950, and that the world is on course to warm by 2.8°C above pre-industrial levels under current climate policies — far beyond the goals of the Paris Agreement.

COP31 trust: the message from New York

“Let COP31 be judged not by promises we repeat, but by the people we protect. That is how we restore trust,” Rahman told delegates, according to UN News. He said COP31 must be more than another negotiating milestone and must demonstrate that multilateralism delivers.

Türkiye, which will host the conference in Antalya from 9 to 20 November, outlined plans to accelerate clean energy, reduce methane emissions and strengthen climate resilience. A centrepiece of the presidency’s agenda is the Climate Implementation Bridge, developed with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which aims to turn national climate commitments into investment-ready projects and connect them with financing.

“The issue is not simply the overall volume of finance. It is also whether finance is available, accessible, affordable and predictable,” said Türkiye’s Ambassador to the UN, Ahmet Yıldız, whose remarks at the event were also reported by international media.

Brazil, Australia and Ethiopia set out their priorities

Brazil, which hosted COP30 last year, identified three priorities for Antalya: making the new just transition mechanism operational, improving how countries measure progress on adaptation, and expanding climate investment in developing countries struggling with debt. Ambassador Sérgio França Danese said the finance talks must lead to viable solutions for expanding fiscal space for climate investment.

Australia is leading the COP31 negotiations under an unprecedented arrangement in which two countries thousands of miles apart share responsibility for the summit. Australian Ambassador James Larsen called for more accessible climate financing and stronger adaptation plans grounded in science and local needs, saying trust could be restored by listening to the most vulnerable communities.

Ethiopia, which will host COP32, reminded delegates that Africa contributes only around three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions yet faces some of the most severe consequences of climate change. Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma Sabo warned that delayed action carries a compounding cost for developing countries. World leaders are expected to gather for a special summit in Antalya on 11 and 12 November.

Watan News has previously covered the UN climate chief’s call for COP31 to turn promises into real-world action in Antalya.

FAKTA: The New York trust meeting

• Event: “A Planet Fit for the Future: Restoring Trust through Climate Action”, UN Headquarters, New York, 16 October 2026
• Convened by: UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman
• Participants: COP30 presidency (Brazil), COP31 presidency (Türkiye), COP32 presidency (Ethiopia), and Australia, leading COP31 negotiations
• Key initiative: Climate Implementation Bridge (Türkiye + UNDP) to turn climate commitments into investment-ready projects
• Warning: El Niño among the strongest since 1950; world on course for 2.8°C warming under current policies
• Next milestone: COP31 in Antalya, 9–20 November 2026; World Leaders Summit 11–12 November

Frequently asked questions

What was the purpose of the New York meeting?

The high-level meeting at UN Headquarters on 16 October 2026 asked how the world can restore trust in climate action. Representatives of the COP30, COP31 and COP32 presidencies discussed turning existing climate commitments into practical measures and measurable results ahead of COP31 in Antalya.

What is the Climate Implementation Bridge?

It is an initiative developed by Türkiye’s COP31 presidency with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to transform national climate commitments into investment-ready projects and connect them with financing. Türkiye’s Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız said finance must be available, accessible, affordable and predictable.

What priorities did Brazil set for COP31?

Brazil, which hosted COP30, identified three priorities: making the new just transition mechanism operational, improving how countries measure progress on adaptation, and expanding climate investment in developing countries that are struggling with debt.

Why is Ethiopia involved in the discussions?

Ethiopia will host COP32. Its ambassador, Tesfaye Yilma Sabo, reminded delegates that Africa contributes only around three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions yet faces some of the most severe consequences of climate change.

When and where is COP31?

COP31 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, with a World Leaders Summit on 11 and 12 November. Türkiye hosts the summit, with Murat Kurum as president-designate, while Australia leads the negotiations.