Turkey has positioned this year’s United Nations climate summit, COP31, as a pivotal moment for advancing both global climate action and a reformed international order. Speaking ahead of the conference, Turkish Ambassador to Australia Ufuk Gezer emphasized the need for tangible progress on climate commitments, framing the summit as a test of global governance beyond the influence of the traditional powers that dominate the UN Security Council.

The ambassador referenced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s slogan, "the world is bigger than five," which critiques the concentration of power among the five permanent members of the Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. Gezer suggested this principle applies equally to the climate negotiations scheduled for November in Antalya, where Turkey will lead this year’s summit. His comments align with the Albanese government’s concurrent calls in New York for a more inclusive and democratic global order.

Turkey’s climate agenda for COP31 includes ten key priorities, such as achieving 35% electrification by 2035, halving the projected growth of municipal waste generation by the same year, and building on prior decisions related to climate finance. These priorities are structured alongside six negotiation themes and guided by principles of dialogue, consensus, and action. While Turkey and Australia both remain reliant on fossil fuels, they are collaborating closely to facilitate an effective summit.

Gezer characterized COP31 as a “COP of implementation,” underscoring the urgency of concrete actions over rhetoric in light of increasingly frequent and severe climate-related disasters worldwide. Reflecting on the 30-year history of climate talks, he argued that the window for meaningful change is narrowing and that nations have “no other choice” but to follow through on earlier commitments.

However, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, who serves as the president of the UN negotiations, has tempered expectations for the summit. Speaking earlier this year, Bowen described COP31 as likely to represent an incremental advancement rather than a breakthrough, suggesting a pragmatic approach centered on steady progress rather than sweeping new agreements.

The planned summit follows pre-COP meetings scheduled for early October in Fiji and Tuvalu, designed to engage Pacific nations that feel they bear the brunt of climate change impacts yet are underrepresented in global forums. Although there were initial concerns about the main COP being held outside the Pacific region, Gezer indicated that there has been no evident dissatisfaction from Pacific leaders. He highlighted active cooperation between Turkey and Australia, addressing reports that Turkey would have the final say on any disagreements between the two hosts by confirming that no such conflicts have arisen and that technical teams are working well.

Australia’s recent candidature for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council reflects a broader push by middle powers to have greater influence in global governance, a theme that resonates with Turkey’s calls for reform. With the world’s largest emitters central to the negotiations, the evolving geopolitical landscape and calls for greater inclusivity are expected to shape the course of COP31 and its outcomes.