COP31Antalya: Cameroon, UK, Türkiye Convene Diplomatic Session

Ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026, the British High Commission and the Embassy of Türkiye in Yaoundé on November 2, 2026 in Yaounde co-hosted a high-level diplomatic briefing.  The event brought together key government officials, diplomats, international organizations, civil society leaders, and media representatives to align perspectives on Cameroon’s climate priorities and discuss global environmental objectives.

Speaking on behalf of the Cameroonian government, the Minister of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, H.E. Pierre Hélé, emphasized the urgent need for international climate finance to reach local communities and affected populations directly.

El Niño Safeguards

Addressing the looming threat of the El Niño climatic phenomenon, Minister Hélé stressed that Cameroon must prepare robust early-warning and preventive mechanisms. "We are preparing disposal mechanisms now to prevent all these events that arrive... Everyone is concerned to chip in their contribution. It's a planetary problem," Minister Hélé stated, urging for stronger international unity to address climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution.

H.E. Volkan Öskiper, Ambassador of Türkiye to Cameroon, presented Türkiye’s vision as host of COP31. He highlighted that the central goal of the Antalya Summit is to rebuild trust and confidence among member states within the international system.

Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency presented its 10 priority areas:

Clean Energy Transition and Electrification: Launching the "35 by 35" Global Electrification Pledge to achieve 35% global electrification of energy consumption by 2035.

Zero Waste and Methane Reduction: Target to reduce global municipal solid waste growth by at least 50% by 2035.

Green Industrialization: Establishing the Antalya Green Industrialization Compact and LDC Facilitation Mechanism, along with the Antalya Pledge on AI-enabled Clean Technologies.

Climate-Resilient Cities: Launching the Sustainable Urban Resilience Financing Facility (SURFF) to lower building energy intensity by 25% by 2035.

Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE): Developing bankable project pipelines with UNDP to unlock capital for developing nations.

Youth and Education: Aiming for universal climate action education by 2035.

Food Security: Implementing the Turquoise Nexus Initiative in partnership with FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Oceans and Seas: Strengthening marine adaptation and mobilizing coastal climate finance.

Rio Synergies: Coordinating implementation across the Rio Conventions.