Baku–Ankara climate dialogue gains momentum on road to COP31 photo

Türkiye’s Minister of Environment and Urbanisation, Murat Kurum, held talks in Istanbul with Mukhtar Babayev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on climate change and President of COP29, focusing on climate action and preparations for upcoming global climate processes.

According to Azertag, the meeting featured an exchange of views on efforts to combat climate change, avenues for international cooperation, and coordination on forthcoming COP-related developments. Particular attention was paid to consultations ahead of COP31, which Türkiye is set to chair and host.

Commenting on the discussions via his social media account, Minister Kurum said: “In Istanbul, we met with the President of COP29 and Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on climate issues, the esteemed Mukhtar Babayev, as well as the delegation accompanying him. Consultations were held ahead of COP31, the chairmanship and hosting of which we will undertake. I thank the Azerbaijani delegation for the visit and for this productive meeting.”

The meeting received wide coverage across Turkish media outlets, reflecting its significance in the context of Türkiye’s expanding role in global climate diplomacy.

COP31, the 31st session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, is scheduled to take place in Antalya in November 2026. Following a prolonged and closely watched bidding process at the COP30 summit, Türkiye was officially confirmed as the host country and will assume the formal presidency of the conference.

Under a compromise arrangement reached with Australia, Australia will play a central role in the process by leading negotiations as the President of Negotiations. In this capacity, Canberra will guide government-level talks and help shape draft negotiating texts throughout the year preceding the summit and during the conference itself.

As part of this arrangement, a pre-COP meeting is planned to be held in a Pacific Island nation, underscoring Australia’s involvement and highlighting the concerns and priorities of Pacific countries in the lead-up to COP31. The agreement effectively resolved a rare standoff between Türkiye and Australia over hosting rights, ensuring that both countries hold key and complementary roles in the planning and conduct of the conference.

By Tamilla Hasanova