COP31 Presidency launches 35-by-35 Pledge and Antalya AI Pledge in New York
Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency launches “35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge” and advances climate-responsible AI at start of New York Climate Week
- Presidency unveils 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge and initiatives to electrify buildings, transport and industry with modern grids
- COP31 Presidency launches Antalya AI Pledge and AI for Clean Tech initiative to focus public and private sector action at upcoming UN climate summit.
- Momentum to build across New York Climate Week with leaders to announce support for responsible AI and electrification.
New York, 21 September 2026 – The Turkish COP31 Presidency will today affirm that COP31 will be a critical moment to advance electrification and climate-responsible AI. At the UN Headquarters, COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum will unveil the Presidency’s flagship electrification pledge to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035, as well as multiple initiatives to electrify buildings, transport and industry, supported by modern grids. He will also announce the Antalya Pledge on AI and the AI for Clean Tech initiative to address the rising energy consumption of data centres and harness AI’s potential for climate action.
“A warming world, a global energy system in disarray, and growing fears of the rise of AI all demand action,” Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, said in a statement ahead of the launch. “COP31 will meet this moment.
“We must openly discuss AI’s growing energy consumption and it is time for governments to start setting the terms. We expect companies to be transparent about their energy use and to power their operations with clean energy. And beyond data centres, we need to electrify energy consumption throughout our lives, from buildings to transport and industry, in line with our 35-by-35 goal. Momentum behind our agenda is building and COP31 will be a critical moment to focus the world’s attention and energies on these critical priorities.”
In addition to presenting its full agenda of COP31 initiatives today, the Turkish Presidency will share with governments and all stakeholders a final text of its flagship “35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge.” The pledge sets out a global ambition to advance electrification, recognising different national circumstances and pathways. It highlights the enabling role of clean power, storage, system flexibility, and modern and resilient grids, as well as the importance of mobilising finance and strengthening international cooperation, particularly to support developing countries.
The Presidency will then announce initiatives to support electrification across buildings, transport and industry, strengthen electricity grids, enhance international cooperation and capacity, and mobilise finance, including:
- A global mechanism to track collective progress on electrification.
- An implementation forum to share knowledge and build capacity.
- Support for developing countries to identify grid investment needs, improve project readiness and access finance for electrification.
- A collaborative platform to advance greener, more resilient and better-connected international freight corridors.
- A compact to reduce energy-use intensity in buildings by at least 25% by 2035, including through electrification.
- A matchmaking platform to support LDCs in accessing finance and technology for industrial decarbonisation.
The COP31 Presidency has invited the International Energy Agency to analyse the challenges and opportunities of electrification, which will be published in a report to inform a High-Level Dialogue with world leaders on Tuesday 22 September.
The COP31 Presidency is also collaborating with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for an Electrification Day on Thursday 24 September. This will be used to assess the role of electrification to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, which is addressed in an IRENA report to be published today.
The Presidency will also launch the Antalya Pledge on Artificial Intelligence as a political pledge on how AI is designed, procured, powered, deployed, measured and managed in support of climate and sustainable development objectives. The pledge is being developed in cooperation with the UN’s International Telecommunication Union, and a draft will be shared ahead of COP31.
To support early action, the COP31 Presidency will also announce its AI for Clean Technologies Initiative. The initiative will develop a portfolio of AI-enabled clean-technology pilots in priority sectors, including smart energy and green industry, and connect them with industry partners and investors. The pilots will demonstrate the responsible use of AI in practice. COP31 will also host a dedicated day on technology and AI.
The COP31 Presidency is using New York Climate Week to set out its plans on all thematic priorities and build early global momentum for COP31 in Antalya. Momentum will build across the week at leader-level events where heads of state and government are expected to announce their support for electrification and responsible AI. Further events will be held to engage partners on other thematic priorities, including resilient cities and finance on Thursday 24 September.
ENDS
Document and background
Download the press release (PDF, English)
The full text of the pledge announced here is published separately: COP31 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge.
