COP31 President and Türkiye’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum will attend the official Pre-COP meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu from October 5 to 8, 2026. According to a ministry announcement issued on October 4, Kurum will present the “COP31 Antalya and Action Agenda” during the opening programme in Fiji and hold meetings with climate and energy ministers and officials from the United Nations climate convention.
Official Pre-COP meetings move to the Pacific
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change lists Fiji, Tuvalu and Australia as partners in delivering the Pre-COP ministerial meeting and leaders’ event from October 5 to 8. The programme is described as one of the final major diplomatic stages before COP31, which will take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20.
Ministerial and negotiating sessions will be held in Fiji, while Tuvalu will host a leaders’ component. Pacific island states want rising sea levels, extreme weather, ocean protection and access to climate finance to remain central to the discussions. Reuters reported that around 30 representatives of governments and international institutions were expected to attend the leaders’ segment.
What agenda will Türkiye present?
The COP31 Action Agenda to be presented by Kurum builds on Türkiye’s previously announced approach of “dialogue, consensus and action.” Themes highlighted during the presidency’s preparations include clean energy and electrification, zero waste and methane reduction, green industrialisation, climate-resilient cities, food security, oceans, health systems, biodiversity, youth participation and implementation of national climate plans.
No new international treaty is scheduled to be signed simply because the Pre-COP is taking place. The meeting is designed to narrow differences before Antalya, develop negotiating issues and create political momentum. Messages delivered in Fiji and Tuvalu are therefore expected to contribute to preparations for the texts and decisions that parties will discuss at COP31.
Pacific states will highlight climate vulnerability
During the leaders’ programme in Tuvalu, participants are expected to see reclaimed land designed to withstand sea-level rise and solar projects intended to reduce reliance on diesel. Pacific governments are seeking stronger support for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, protecting oceans and improving access to finance for adaptation and resilience projects.
Reuters reported disappointment among some Pacific representatives because attendance by leaders from outside the region remained limited. Organisers nevertheless argue that hosting the Pre-COP in the Pacific gives island countries a rare opportunity to place their priorities directly before global decision-makers.
COP31 opens in Antalya on November 9
UNFCCC records show that COP31 will be held at the Antalya EXPO Center from November 9 to 20, 2026. Türkiye will serve as host and conference president, while Australia will lead the formal negotiating process. The arrangement is intended to give Pacific countries greater visibility while allowing Türkiye to direct the presidency’s action agenda.
Kurum is also expected to hold bilateral meetings in Fiji with UN climate officials and ministers from participating countries. The precise list of meetings and any joint statements will only be confirmed after they take place. This report therefore distinguishes the published programme from potential outcomes.
At this stage, the verified facts are the October 5–8 schedule, the meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu, Kurum’s planned presentation of the Antalya Action Agenda and the November dates for COP31. No result, agreement or commitment from the upcoming meetings is presented as completed. Any declaration issued after the Pacific programme should be reviewed against the official UNFCCC and COP31 presidency records.
