The Leaders’ Summit of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) starts on Wednesday in Antalya, Trkiye, with the participation of President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, who will be among the speakers at the High-Level Segment. The opening of the Summit will feature addresses by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is hosting the event.
The two-day Summit, organised as part of the UN climate conference, is being held under the central theme ‘Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future.’ It is taking place at the Antalya EXPO Centre, where leaders are expected to arrive in succession this morning, to be welcomed by the Turkish President. An official family photograph will follow later.
As Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated on Tuesday, in his address to the Heads of State and Government, President Christodoulides will highlight the Republic of Cyprus’ support for the common European position on strengthening global climate ambition, ensuring the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and accelerating the fulfilment of international commitments.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the Republic of Cyprus’ regional Initiative on Climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The President will also highlight the initiative undertaken during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU to strengthen the EU’s strategic approach to international climate negotiations.
On the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit, there will be opportunities for bilateral meetings, and President Christodoulides is also expected to meet with the President of the European Commission.
The President is accompanied in Antalya by Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the President’s Special Political Envoy for the Cyprus issue for Asia and Africa, Nikos Tornaritis, as well as government officials.
On Wednesday afternoon, the President will travel to Dublin, where he will participate in the European Political Community (EPC) Summit and the informal meeting of the European Council, scheduled for 12 and 13 November, respectively.