{"id":11208,"date":"2026-03-13T09:58:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdgnews.com\/?p=11208"},"modified":"2026-03-13T09:58:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:58:40","slug":"sdg-news-spotlight-murat-kurum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sdgnews.com\/fr\/sdg-news-spotlight-murat-kurum\/","title":{"rendered":"T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Murat Kurum to Lead Global Climate Diplomacy as COP31 President"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the world gathers in Antalya in November 2026 for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, the man at the center of the negotiations will be Murat Kurum, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. Appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan, Kurum will serve as president of COP31, guiding talks among nearly 200 countries on the future of global climate action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role places Kurum at the helm of the world\u2019s most consequential climate forum, responsible for steering negotiations on emissions reductions, climate finance, adaptation, and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Engineer to Climate Diplomat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Born in Ankara in 1976, Murat Kurum trained as a civil engineer before entering public service through T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s housing and urban development institutions. His early career included leadership roles in state-linked housing and real estate organizations, including the country\u2019s Housing Development Administration and Emlak Konut, where he oversaw major urban development initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2018, Kurum was appointed Minister of Environment and Urbanization, placing him in charge of policies related to urban planning, environmental protection, and climate strategy. After a period serving in parliament and running for mayor of Istanbul, he returned to the ministry in 2024 when the government consolidated environmental, urbanisation, and climate portfolios under a single ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His career has been closely tied to T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s rapid urban transformation and infrastructure expansion. As minister, Kurum has increasingly taken on responsibilities related to climate policy, including adaptation planning, urban resilience, and environmental regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Securing COP31 for T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s path to hosting COP31 was not guaranteed. Ankara competed for years with Australia to host the summit before a diplomatic compromise emerged during the COP30 negotiations in Brazil. The agreement cleared the way for T\u00fcrkiye to host the conference in Antalya while Australia will play a role supporting the negotiation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murat Kurum played a central role in the diplomatic campaign to secure the summit, engaging with governments and UN climate stakeholders to build support. The outcome marks the first time T\u00fcrkiye will host the world\u2019s largest climate conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Defining Moment for T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Climate Leadership<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

COP31 arrives at a pivotal moment for the global climate agenda. Countries are under mounting pressure to strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions, accelerate the energy transition, and expand climate finance for vulnerable regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For T\u00fcrkiye, hosting the summit represents both opportunity and scrutiny. As COP president, Kurum will be expected to broker consensus between developed and developing economies while demonstrating that T\u00fcrkiye itself is advancing credible climate policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murat Kurum has framed the summit as an opportunity to bridge the priorities of the Global North and Global South, positioning T\u00fcrkiye as a diplomatic connector between regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Road to Antalya<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When delegates arrive in Antalya in late 2026, the stakes will be high. COP31 is expected to focus on closing the gap between global climate pledges and real-world emissions trajectories while accelerating financing for adaptation and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Murat Kurum, the conference will be the defining test of his political career. Success will depend on his ability to navigate the complex intersection of climate science, geopolitics, and economic development while building trust among nations with very different visions of the energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As COP31 president, Kurum will not simply host the summit. He will help determine whether the next phase of global climate diplomacy moves from promises to measurable progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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