When and Where Is COP31? What Participants Need to Know

In the autumn of 2026, climate diplomats, civil society representatives, scientists and journalists from all over the world will turn their eyes to Türkiye. COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will convene under Türkiye's presidency and is intended to become a new turning point in global climate diplomacy with its "COP of the Future" vision. So exactly when and where will this critical gathering take place, and what awaits its participants? Here is the essential information you need to know.

When and Where Will COP31 Be Held?

COP31 will take place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026. As the host country, Türkiye will preside over the conference through the Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum. Over the twelve-day period, negotiations, high-level sessions, technical meetings and side events will be interwoven; parties will review their commitments, seek new grounds for consensus and work on action plans that will translate into concrete steps. On the What is COP31 page, you can find more detailed information about the conference's historical background and its decision-making mechanism.

How Many Participants, How Many Countries?

The scale of COP31 clearly demonstrates the conference's global significance. Alongside the delegations of the 197 countries party to the UNFCCC, a total of approximately 100,000 participants are expected to be welcomed in Antalya, including observer organisations, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, business representatives, academics and accredited members of the press. Such a high number of participants necessitates an inclusive and meticulously planned organisation in both logistical and diplomatic terms: Türkiye aims to offer a fair and accessible conference experience in which no one is left behind.

The Overall Structure of the Conference: Blue Zone and Green Zone

COP31 consists of two main zones. The Blue Zone is the official conference area managed by the UNFCCC; it is the diplomatic backbone where climate policy negotiations, high-level talks, official side events and press briefings take place. Access to this zone is limited solely to participants who have obtained UNFCCC accreditation: national delegations, observer organisations, UN agencies and accredited media. The Blue Zone page provides detailed information about how this zone operates.

In addition, there is the Green Zone, the public-facing focal point of climate action. Here, climate innovation exhibitions, institutional and country pavilions, workshops and cultural events are held, creating networking opportunities for the business world, civil society, academia and youth organisations. Together, these two zones aim to offer a holistic participation experience that extends from dialogue to consensus and from consensus to action.

Preparation for Participants: Where to Look?

For those planning to attend COP31, the most critical first step is the accreditation process. Party delegates, observer organisations, UN agencies, civil society organisations, business representatives, academic institutions and accredited media qualify to receive their badges by going through a four-stage process (organisation registration, participant nomination, UNFCCC approval and notification of approval). Badge collection will take place at the Registration Centre in Antalya, upon presentation of a valid passport or official identity document together with the accreditation approval certificate. Given the high number of participants expected, early application is strongly recommended. For all the steps involved in the process, the Accreditation page should be your main reference source.

After accreditation, the three pillars of travel planning come to the fore: accommodation, transportation and visa. For up-to-date information about accommodation options in Antalya and the reservation processes, the Accommodation page should be consulted; for practical information about intra-city and intercity transportation, airport transfers and access to the conference area, the Transportation page should be visited. It is of great importance that international participants clarify in advance the visa requirements and entry procedures that vary by country; up-to-date and accurate information on this subject can be found on the Visa and Entry page.

A Gathering That Comes Down to the Ground

COP31 is designed as a conference that seeks to be remembered not only at the negotiating tables, but for its field-verifiable results. Guided by the principle that a commitment is a declaration of intent while implementation is trust, Türkiye aims to host in Antalya a global gathering that brings together dialogue, consensus and action, built upon a shared will. For participants to take part in this historic process fully prepared, planning the accreditation, accommodation, transportation and visa steps early will be decisive both for their own experience and for the overall success of the conference.