Antalya Prepares for COP31 as Young Climate Leaders Gather

Antalya is hosting one of the key gatherings of global climate diplomacy. The 21st Children and Youth Conference on Climate Change (COY21), held ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), has begun at Akdeniz University.

Under the theme “Our Future, Our Climate,” youth representatives from different countries have come together to discuss joint efforts against the climate crisis and international cooperation.

Focus on Implementation

Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and CEO of COP31, spoke at the opening of the conference. She said Türkiye's hosting of the summit will mark the start of a new era in the global fight against climate change.

Varank stressed that COP31 will not be a meeting only for adopting new decisions. She said the main goal is to turn existing climate commitments into concrete action.

“COP31 will go down in history as the ‘Implementation COP,’ where decisions are put into practice on the ground,” Varank said.

Varank said Antalya will become a center of global climate diplomacy. She added that during the COP31 process, Türkiye aims to build a bridge between developed and developing countries.

Role of Young People

Highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change, Varank said young people should be active participants in this process.

She noted that the young participants have gathered in Antalya not only for an event, but also to contribute to the future of the world.

Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, Rector of Akdeniz University, said the effects of climate change are no longer a threat for the future and are being felt today.

Özkan stressed that commitments made in the fight against climate change must be put into practice without delay. She cited the Zero Waste Movement, launched under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan, as one of the initiatives recognized internationally as an example.

Sally Higgins, COP31 Youth Champion, underlined the need to increase youth representation in the development of climate policies. She also stressed the importance of strengthening solidarity among countries in the fight against climate change.

Sessions Continue

COY21, which began at the Atatürk Conference Hall of Akdeniz University, will continue with sessions and knowledge-sharing activities featuring youth representatives from various countries.