Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum spoke at the COP31 Venue and Hotels Area Roads Opening Program held at the EXPO Area in Antalya. Kurum said Antalya would host COP31 from November 9 to 20.
Kurum said heads of state and government, scientists, business representatives, civil society organizations and young people would come together in Antalya as part of the summit, adding that Türkiye would not merely host the event. He said Türkiye’s experience in combating climate change and its approach of addressing development and the environment together would be shared with the world.
Road works completed in Antalya
Announcing that the 38-kilometer Belek Tourism Road had been completed as part of preparations for COP31, Kurum said extensive work had been carried out on more than 21 kilometers of four main arteries. Kurum added that a total of 16,000 meters of work had also been completed on 12 connecting roads.
Emphasizing that the investments were not being made solely for the summit, Kurum said the roads would be used after the event by Antalya residents, tradespeople, tourism professionals and young people. Kurum said the EXPO Area would also continue to serve Antalya after the summit, adding that the facility, which has approximately 160,000 square meters of indoor space, would be utilized in a way that contributes to employment and production.
EXPO Area divided into two zones
Kurum announced that the approximately 1 million-square-meter EXPO Area had been reorganized as part of preparations for COP31. He said the area had been planned as the “Blue Zone” for official negotiations and meetings of international organizations, and as the “Green Zone” for events that would bring the climate summit closer to society.
Kurum said business representatives, academics, young people and entrepreneurs would also take part in the area, adding that approximately 100,000 visitors and tens of thousands of people would be hosted at the facilities. He said the work was progressing ahead of the planned schedule, adding that it was continuing with 1,500 personnel and more than 300 machines and pieces of equipment.
Kurum said a significant portion of the main construction work had been completed and that the remaining work would be finished in time for the event. He added that work being carried out on zero waste, resilient cities, food security and clean energy would also be presented at COP31.
Kurum announces figures on environmental inspections
Kurum said the experience gained in rebuilding cities after the February 6, 2023 earthquakes would be shared at COP31, adding that 455,000 homes and workplaces had been delivered over two years.
Kurum said the number of packages collected under the Deposit Management System had reached 200 million and that Antalya ranked first in DOA use. Referring to efforts to protect the Mediterranean and coastal areas, Kurum announced that 219 million liras in fines had been imposed on 128 facilities identified as polluting the environment this year and that 21 facilities had been sealed.
Kurum also announced that dredging operations would begin next week in Fethiye to protect the marine ecosystem and coastal areas. Following the speeches, the road investments were officially opened with the participation of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, TOKİ President Mustafa Levent Sungur, members of parliament and protocol officials.
