COP31 appoints 10 climate negotiators as Antalya summit approaches

Ten senior government representatives have been appointed to facilitate discussions on some of the most contested issues in international climate negotiations ahead of COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.

Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, announced five pairs of co-facilitators covering emissions reductions, climate adaptation, finance, just transition and ocean-related climate action.

The appointments are intended to help participating countries identify areas of agreement before the annual UN climate conference, where disagreements over funding and the implementation of existing commitments are expected to feature prominently.

Bowen, who will serve as COP31 President of Negotiations, said the facilitators would support consultations between governments and help narrow differences on difficult policy questions. He expressed hope that their work would contribute to an ambitious outcome focused on implementation and accelerated climate action.

Five negotiating teams assigned key climate priorities
The mitigation discussions will be facilitated by India's Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Germany's Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. Their portfolio covers efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen international action to address climate change.

Adaptation consultations will be led by the United Kingdom's Miatta Fahnbulleh and Sierra Leone's Jiwoh Abdulai. The discussions will address countries' ability to prepare for and respond to climate impacts, including the needs of vulnerable communities.

France's Monique Barbut and Robert E.A. Borje of the Philippines' Climate Change Commission will handle climate finance, one of the most sensitive issues in negotiations between developed and developing economies.

Mexico's Alicia Bárcena and Poland's Krzysztof Bolesta will oversee consultations on just transition, focusing on how countries can move towards cleaner economies while protecting workers and communities affected by economic changes.

Palau's Steven Victor and Canada's Julie Dabrusin will facilitate discussions on oceans, including coastal resilience and opportunities for ocean-related climate action.

The appointments bring together representatives from different regions and economic circumstances. The facilitators are expected to consult governments and negotiating groups, identify possible compromises and assist discussions during the summit.

They will not have the authority to impose agreements. Decisions will remain subject to negotiations among participating countries.

Shared leadership puts finance and implementation in focus
COP31 will operate under a leadership arrangement that divides responsibilities between Türkiye and Australia.

Türkiye will hold the conference presidency, with Environment Minister Murat Kurum serving as COP31 President. Australia, through Bowen, will oversee the formal negotiations and preparation of negotiating texts in consultation with Türkiye.

The conference will be held at the Antalya Expo Center.

The arrangement gives Australia a central role in managing the diplomatic process, while Türkiye retains responsibility for the overall presidency and conference organisation.

Climate finance is expected to be a particularly difficult area of discussion. Developing countries have repeatedly called for funding that is more predictable, affordable and easier to access, particularly for adaptation and implementation of national climate plans.

At a Pacific pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji earlier in October, participants highlighted debt pressures, expensive borrowing, complex accreditation rules and lengthy approval processes as obstacles to accessing international climate funding.

Discussions included proposals to expand grant-based and highly concessional financing, simplify application procedures and strengthen cooperation with multilateral development banks.

Borje, who participated in finance and investment discussions alongside Barbut, called for greater emphasis on putting existing financial commitments into practice and improving access to available resources.

Another challenge concerns the proposed just transition mechanism, where countries continue to differ over its operation and the financial and technical assistance it should provide.

For developing economies, the issue extends beyond reducing dependence on high-emission industries. Governments must also consider employment, energy access, development priorities and the effects of economic restructuring on vulnerable communities.

The COP31 leadership has identified implementation and acceleration as priorities, including progress on renewable energy, electrification, electricity networks and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The newly appointed facilitators are expected to conduct consultations before the Antalya summit and help address unresolved differences during the negotiations.

Their immediate task will be to establish areas of agreement across competing national priorities, particularly on the financing and practical delivery of climate commitments.