Türkiye Makes Electrification a Priority at COP31

Antalya/Istanbul (ANTARA) – Türkiye’s presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 is promoting an increase in electricity’s share of global energy use to 35 per cent by 2035 as one way to accelerate the implementation of climate commitments.

World leaders will meet in the Turkish city of Antalya on Wednesday for a two-day high-level gathering as part of the conference.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres are scheduled to deliver opening speeches at the Antalya Expo Centre.

A number of heads of state and government will make national statements over the two days, alongside round-table discussions and bilateral meetings.

Leaders expected to attend include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng and Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are also expected to address the gathering.

Electrification involves replacing the direct use of fuels in transport, buildings and industry with electricity, for example through electric vehicles and heat pumps.

COP31 opened on Monday and will run until 20 November. Türkiye holds the conference presidency, while Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen is leading the negotiations.

Wednesday’s agenda focuses on waste reduction, followed on Thursday (12 November) by discussions on improving the resilience of cities and buildings to the effects of climate change.

Discussions on finance and trade are scheduled for Friday (13 November).

A further high-level session will take place on 17–18 November for countries whose leaders have not delivered national statements during the two-day meeting.