Türkiye works to cut climate project delays: COP31 CEO

Antalya recorded 15.07 million foreign tourist arrivals between January 1 and October 27, airport data showed. This volume exceeds five times the city’s approximate population of 2.8 million residents. The Mediterranean hub maintained strong visitor numbers throughout the autumn season. Local officials highlighted the city’s role as a major venue for international gatherings alongside its traditional leisure appeal. The region recently hosted the 77th International Astronautical Congress in early October. More than 18,000 participants from 111 countries attended that event. Antalya is currently preparing to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP31, in November. Governor Hulusi Sahin stated that the conference venue will continue operating as a congress and exhibition center in subsequent years. He noted this permanent structure supports the local tourism industry. Sahin reported that Antalya logged 111 million overnight stays during the period. The city generated roughly 44 percent of Turkey’s total tourism revenues. He described a shift toward a year-round tourism model. This strategy involves cooperation with neighboring destinations, the introduction of new tourism products, and expanded transportation networks. Hakan Saticioglu, chairman of the Professional Hotel Managers Association, characterized the current period as a productive autumn season. He confirmed that all available space at the COP31 conference venue has been reserved. Demand from holidaymakers remains robust. Hotels typically record high occupancy rates in September, October, and the first half of November. Saticioglu attributed these figures to discounted pricing, favorable weather conditions, and warm sea temperatures. Germany leads the list of guest origins, followed by other European nations. Strong booking volumes also arrived from Poland and Belgium. These trends indicate sustained interest in the destination despite seasonal transitions. Turkey aims to position climate adaptation at the center of the upcoming COP31 agenda. Halil Hasar, director of the Turkish Climate Change Presidency and chief climate diplomacy officer for the summit, emphasized the urgency of translating national plans into concrete projects. He warned that rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and wildfires threaten water and food security, energy supplies, public health, and economic resilience. Hasar argued that climate impacts constitute a multidimensional risk affecting economic, social, and community life. Assessments by the Turkish Climate Change Presidency identify the Mediterranean basin, including Turkey, as one of the regions most affected by climate change. Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall exert increasing pressure on water resources. Developing countries and small island states face mounting risks from extreme weather, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels. For Pacific island nations, Hasar described climate change as an existential threat. Hasar stated that the primary challenge lies in the gap between national adaptation plans and their actual implementation. Many countries have drafted plans but lack the specific projects and financing required for delivery. The summit intends to address this through measurable indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation. A roadmap exists for the commitment made in Belem to triple adaptation finance. Expanding early warning systems represents another priority. Accurate forecasts and timely warnings can prevent significant loss of life and property at relatively low cost. Turkey launched a mechanism through ILBANK, its development bank for municipalities, to assist cities in developing countries in converting resilience plans into fundable projects. Climate finance is expected to be a contentious issue at the summit. Under goals agreed in Baku, financing for developing countries must reach at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. Most parties focus on delivering this target without reopening the amount. Disagreements persist regarding which entities provide the funds, the sources utilized, and the methods of delivery. Hasar noted that fundamental differences concern implementation strategies and accompanying support rather than the necessity of action. Small island states and least developed countries raised concerns during pre-summit meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu. They cited bureaucratic barriers to accessing finance, delays in fund arrival, and growing debt burdens as main obstacles. Hasar relayed the summit president’s argument that nations should view climate change through the same strategic lens as defense spending. A flood destroying urban infrastructure constitutes a serious security threat.