Türkiye mobilizes 26,000 security personnel for COP31

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced on Sunday that Turkey will deploy 26,000 security personnel to protect attendees of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference. The summit is scheduled to run from November 9 to 20 in the Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya. The minister stated that nearly 100 heads of state and government, along with 200 to 300 ministers and roughly 20,000 delegates, are expected to attend. Organizers anticipate approximately 100,000 visitors per day. The conference site covers one million square meters, with the Interior Ministry tasked with securing the venue and coordinating broader regional security efforts. Çiftçi revealed that security protocols will mirror those used for the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Ankara in July. Under this plan, Antalya serves as the operational hub, while neighboring provinces are designated as distinct security zones. Border and port provinces are also integrated into the wider framework. The deployment involves the General Directorate of Security, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the Coast Guard Command. Specific duties include maintaining public order, counterterrorism operations, narcotics enforcement, and cybercrime prevention. As security teams advance toward Antalya, these operations will intensify. Detailed logistical preparations have been made for the movement of dignitaries. Authorities have mapped specific routes for leaders traveling from the airport to their hotels and subsequently to the conference venue. Police officers will maintain a continuous presence at the airport. Accommodation areas for leaders, ministers, and delegations are segmented into five separate security zones. At the main summit venue, approximately 1,500 special operations officers will be stationed, supported by around 3,298 traffic police officers. The venue itself features a Green Zone open to the general public and a Blue Zone restricted to registered participants for official negotiations. Maritime security is a key component of the strategy. The Coast Guard Command will assign 207 personnel to secure surrounding waters. This force will utilize a corvette, assault boats, helicopters, and special operations teams to address potential incidents at sea. Digital defense measures are equally prominent, with cybercrime units from both police and gendarmerie conducting online patrols throughout the summit. These teams aim to identify and neutralize threats, reflecting a shift in criminal activity from physical streets to digital platforms. Emergency preparedness has been bolstered significantly. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority has allocated 120 personnel to Antalya, operating 15 teams in coordination with the metropolitan municipality and local fire services. Medical resources include 110 ambulances and approximately 300 medical staff, with 21 National Medical Rescue Teams on standby. An individual ambulance will be assigned to each head of state or government to guarantee rapid medical access. Additionally, the Interior Ministry transferred its authority to approve demonstrations and marches in Antalya to the provincial governor’s office for a period of one month. Transportation logistics involve the deployment of 630 additional vehicles, including low-emission buses and electric shuttles. Economic projections suggest the conference will generate about two billion dollars in direct economic activity for Antalya. This benefit extends to sectors such as accommodation, transport, retail, construction, and event production. Çiftçi emphasized that security assessments are tailored specifically for each attendee group due to the high volume of visitors. The comprehensive approach ensures coverage across land, sea, and air domains for the duration of the global climate gathering.