Minister Çiftçi: 26,000 staff to work at COP31 summit

Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum and Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi visited Antalya to assess preparations and planned activities for COP31, and inspected work at the summit venue. Kurum said preparations had reached their final stage and that 85 leaders had so far confirmed their attendance.

Çiftçi said about 26,000 personnel will work during the COP31 summit and that security measures will be carried out by land, air and sea. He said preparations were being carried out with the same care as for the NATO summit and that daily visitor numbers are expected to reach 100,000. Fire prevention measures, evacuation plans and emergency preparedness at the conference area and accommodation sites have been reviewed, he noted.

Authority over demonstrations that may take place during COP31 has been transferred to the Antalya Governorate to manage the process locally. Çiftçi stressed that COP31 is of great importance for Türkiye's reputation and prestige, saying “As at the NATO summit, we have taken the necessary measures here too.”