How is COP31 organized in Türkiye? Participants, venues and logistics at the climate summit

Organizing the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) involves much more than preparing for a series of diplomatic meetings. For nearly two weeks, the city will be the epicenter of global climate policymaking, providing accommodation, transportation, security, services, and workspaces for tens of thousands of government officials, scientists, business leaders, journalists and civil society representatives.

From November 9 to 20, the Antalya Expo Center will welcome nearly 100 world leaders and more than 300 ministers, according to COP31 President and Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum. Located in the Aksu district, just 12 kilometers from the airport, the venue spans more than one million square meters.

How many people will attend COP31 in Antalya?

The COP31 Presidency expects around 100,000 people to attend the 12-day climate summit. This figure includes representatives from the 197 countries that are parties to the UNFCCC, as well as international organizations, observer organizations, businesses, researchers, young people, Indigenous peoples, and civil society groups.

The infrastructure reflects the scale of the event. According to figures presented by Turkish Deputy Environment Minister Burak Demiralp at a United Nations briefing, 225 pavilions have been requested by 98 countries, 72 NGOs, 39 intergovernmental organizations and 16 UN agencies. Turkish authorities say this represents a record for these conferences.

A press center will also accommodate 4,000 journalists and other media professionals from Türkiye and abroad, with some 3,000 journalists having already received accreditation by the end of October. The facilities will support more than 300 press conferences and 40 live broadcasting locations.

How are the COP31 venues organized?

Organizers have divided the venue into two main areas, each serving a different purpose:

• Blue Zone. This is the official United Nations area and the hub for diplomatic negotiations. Covering more than 527,000 square meters, it is reserved for accredited participants. It hosts international negotiations, ministerial meetings, plenary sessions, diplomatic gatherings and Presidency events. “With digital infrastructure, meeting facilities and workspaces, this zone brings together the key elements of global climate diplomacy in one place. This is where the future is negotiated,” the Deputy Environment Minister said. The Blue Zone also houses national pavilions and facilities for international organizations. It includes two large plenary halls, with capacities of 1,600 and 1,300 people, respectively, as well as 28 meeting rooms, press conference facilities and spaces for side events.
• Green Zone. This area is designed to be more open and participatory. Managed by Türkiye as the host country, it brings climate action closer to businesses, local governments, universities, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and the general public. Advance registration is required, and the zone will be closed to the public during the Leaders’ Summit on November 11 and 12. Covering 582,000 square meters, the Green Zone will feature seven themed stages hosting daily discussions, presentations and workshops. There will also be spaces dedicated to climate finance, resilient cities, science and technology, green industrialization and the circular economy. The program will also include cultural activities, concerts, educational initiatives and opportunities for startups to meet investors. In the words of Burak Demiralp, “the Green Zone is where climate action, innovation, culture, and public participation take center stage. It is where the climate agenda connects with society.”

How are transportation and accommodation being organized for COP31?

Mobility happens to be one of the summit’s biggest logistical challenges. To reduce individual car journeys and prevent congestion, Turkish authorities have assembled a public transportation fleet of 630 buses from 25 municipalities across the country. Of these, 71 are electric, 233 run on natural gas and the remainder are low-emission diesel vehicles. These figures were provided by Turkish government officials to the country’s official Anadolu Agency (AA).

The mobility plan includes 19 routes connecting the venue with the airport, hotels, bus terminal, and city center. Services will also cover major accommodation areas, including Belek, Kundu, Lara, Kemer and Alanya, while the parking facilities will be able to accommodate 5,000 cars and 400 buses.

“We have identified seven main routes providing uninterrupted access to the COP31 venue from central Antalya and the main accommodation areas. A total of 550 vehicles, most of them electric, will operate along these routes,” Deputy Minister Demiralp said at the United Nations.

Free public transportation will also be available, along with a light rail line connecting the city center, airport and summit venue, with Antalya International Airport lying approximately 20 minutes from the exhibition center.

For accommodation, organizers have chosen Coral Travel as the official hotel booking partner. Its platform offers hotels for delegations, conference partner hotels and other options across a range of categories and prices. The main recommended accommodation areas include the vicinity of the venue, as well as Belek, the coastal strip, and central Antalya. Booking a hotel does not automatically grant access to the conference. Official accreditation must be obtained separately.

Deliveries have also been planned to minimize disruption to the conference program, with supplies and materials to be transported to the venue overnight.

Security is another major challenge for the host country. Working with the United Nations, the Turkish Presidency has organized security arrangements around three priorities: protecting dignitaries, ensuring participant safety, and cybersecurity.

What sustainability and accessibility measures are planned for COP31?

Organizers want the summit itself to reflect its climate objectives. To achieve this, they have introduced a sustainability management system covering emissions measurement, energy efficiency, low-emission transportation, responsible procurement, and waste reduction.

The Turkish Presidency has announced that the conference obtained two certifications before it began: TS ISO 20121:2024 certification for sustainable event management and Zero Waste certification. According to organizers, this is the first time a COP has received both certifications ahead of the event.

The sustainability policy also includes circular economy measures, material reuse, waste separation and resource recovery, along with habitat restoration and environmental improvement initiatives that could continue once the summit has ended.

Accessibility is another key part of the wider planning process. Official buses will have manual ramps and will be wheelchair accessible. Arrangements also include designated accessible parking spaces, identification of accessible accommodations and assistance points in registration and service areas.

Additional measures are planned, including accessibility information points, accessible routes and facilities, quiet spaces, and areas where attendees can take a break from sensory stimulation, along with sign language interpretation services. However, implementation of some of these measures has yet to be confirmed.

What impact could COP31 have on Antalya?

Hosting a summit of this scale presents an economic opportunity for Antalya and the surrounding region.

Speaking to the state news agency on October 22, Minister Kurum estimated that the event could generate approximately $2 billion in direct economic activity, rising to between $3 billion and $4 billion in added value when the multiplier effect on other sectors is taken into account.

Hotels, restaurants, transportation, retail, construction and event production are among the industries that could benefit from the arrival of international delegations and visitors. Increased demand for services and greater international visibility could also strengthen Antalya’s position as a destination for future conferences and business events.

Yet the potential impact extends beyond immediate economic activity. Organizers intend for some of the infrastructure developed for the summit to remain in use afterward. One of the facilities developed for the summit is a new natural gas refueling station, built to supply the buses operating during the conference. According to the authorities, the station will be able to continue serving Antalya’s public transportation system after the summit.

Transportation, waste management, and emissions reduction will also test the city’s ability to host major international events while meeting environmental standards.

Frequently asked questions about COP31 in Antalya

Where and when is COP31 taking place?

COP31 is being held from November 9 to 20, 2026, at the Antalya Expo Center in the Aksu district of Antalya, Türkiye. The venue lies approximately 12 kilometers from the international airport and spans more than one million square meters.

Who can access the COP31 Blue Zone and Green Zone?

The Blue Zone is reserved for United Nations-accredited participants and hosts the official negotiations. Meanwhile, the Green Zone is open to a wider audience with advance registration, although it will be closed during the Leaders’ Summit on November 11 and 12.

How can attendees get to the COP31 venue from Antalya?

Organizers have arranged shuttle buses, free public transportation, and a light rail line connecting central Antalya, the airport, and the COP31 venue. The transportation network includes 19 routes serving hotels and other locations across the city.

Where can COP31 attendees stay?

The main recommended accommodation areas are Belek, Kundu, Lara, Kemer, Alanya, and central Antalya. Coral Travel, the event’s official hotel booking partner, offers a hotel booking platform, although booking accommodation does not automatically grant access to the conference, with separate accreditation required.

What accessibility measures are planned for COP31?

Organizers have planned buses with wheelchair ramps, accessible parking, accessible accommodation, and assistance points. Quiet spaces, accessible routes, and sign language interpretation services are also planned, although some measures have yet to be confirmed.

What economic benefits are expected from COP31 for Antalya?

According to estimates announced by Turkish authorities, COP31 could generate around $2 billion in direct economic activity and between $3 billion and $4 billion in added value when indirect effects on other sectors are factored in.