Press Briefing ahead of COP 31: What to watch, what to expect
When: Monday, 2 November 2026, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CEST
Where: Virtual event. Please register here.
UNU experts: Dr. Soenke Kreft, Sinja Buri, Dr. Simone Sandholz, Dr. Irmak Karaslak, Lisa Hartmann, Dr. Jack O'Connor and Tarisai Kanyepi
Why?
The preparatory meetings under the UNFCCC climate negotiations process have concluded, and the stage is set for COP 31 in Antalya, Türkiye. From energy transition and climate finance to heat in cities and support for frontline Small Island Developing States, several key issues will shape negotiations.
COP 31 comes at a critical moment. Climate overshoot, devastating disasters and temperature records: 2026 has been another stark reminder that climate risks continue to intensify around the world.
Key questions loom. What can be expected from COP 31? Where do major topics such as climate finance and loss and damage stand? And how can climate action move forward against a changing political landscape and a UN leadership transition?
Ahead of COP 31, the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) is hosting a press briefing to unpack key agenda items, discuss challenges facing the negotiations and highlight the issues likely to shape discussions in Antalya. UNU-EHS experts can provide neutral and fact-based information that can break down the bigger picture.
Among other things, the briefing will explain key items on the COP Presidency's Action Agenda, which can be expected to receive heightened attention in Antalya.
The briefing will touch on:
- COP and Pacific region priorities
- Energy transition and electrification
- Heat and climate-resilient cities
- Addressing multiple crises at once (biodiversity, land degradation and climate change)
- Oceans and seas
- Food security
- Questions from the audience
After the briefing:
UNU-EHS experts will attend or closely follow COP 31 negotiations and will be available for media engagement before and during the conference.
For more information, please contact:
| Austin Gonzales Communication Assistant United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security Mobile: + (0) 49 151 2672 1390 (mobile) gonzales@vie.unu.edu | Nadine Hoffmann Head of Communications United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security Mobile: + (0) 49 151 2672 1390 (mobile) n.hoffmann@vie.unu.edu |
