The event titled “A New Era in Climate and Health: Antalya COP31” was held as part of Baku Climate Week.
During the event, the importance of sustaining and further advancing the achievements made in the field of climate and health under previous COP Presidencies was highlighted, while Türkiye’s determination to take the climate and health agenda further in Antalya under its COP31 Presidency was emphasized.
COP31, to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026, will designate 9 November as “Health Day.” Health will be addressed as one of the priority areas of the COP31 Action Agenda under the theme “Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems.”
As part of Health Day, discussions are planned to focus on the risks posed by climate change to public health through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, air pollution, water and food security, and communicable and non-communicable diseases. Policies aimed at strengthening the preparedness, response, and adaptation capacities of health systems against climate-related risks will also be brought to the forefront.
One of the key components of the COP31 health agenda will be the Antalya Initiative for Resilient Health Systems (AIR). The initiative aims to translate scientific evidence, international experience, and good practices into concrete policies and measurable actions, promote the sharing of successful practices among countries, and strengthen the resilience of health systems to climate-related risks.
During the event held in Baku, Director General for EU and Foreign Affairs Dr. Aziz Alper Biten shared his assessments on Türkiye’s COP31 health agenda. Dr. Biten stated that the aim is to establish an international platform where countries can share their experiences and good practices in the field of health, and emphasized the importance of sharing Türkiye’s healthcare experience internationally in a manner that contributes to the development of environmentally and climate-conscious health systems.
During Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency, efforts will focus on strengthening international cooperation on the health impacts of climate change and translating work aimed at developing resilient health systems into concrete actions in Antalya.