PARLIAMENTARIANS@COP31 Newsletter | 26 October 2026, Volume 6 Issue 6

Welcome to the October issue of our multilingual Parliamentarians@COP31 newsletter, prepared by GLOBE Legislators serving as the UNFCCC Focal Point for the world’s parliamentary constituency. Our work supports legislators to deliver on their Paris Agreement (and related) climate commitments, and to prepare for and engage effectively at COP31.
 
The newsletters are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
 
We are proud to have worked closely with the COP28-COP29-COP30 Presidencies, brought together as the first such Troika, to better coordinate across the Presidencies and support Mission 1.5C. This year, we look forward to working with the COP31 Co-Presidencies of Türkiye and Australia and look forward to engaging with their parliamentarians.

Resource: GLOBE offers a number of useful videos from the GLOBE COP Parliamentary Pavilions hosted at COP28 and COP29, which can be viewed on the GLOBE YouTube channel playlists here, with photos on Flickr here.

COP31 Joint Presidency Writes to Parties and Stakeholders

COP31 President-designate, Murat Kurum, and President of Negotiations, Chris Bowen, have outlined priorities for COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. In their fourth Presidency letter issued on 5 October, the two leaders identified key areas for progress at COP31. They urged Parties to submit outstanding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), complete pending Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), and strengthen the development and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

Pre-COP31 Outlines Key Pacific and Global Agenda

Pre-COP31 concluded on 8 October, 2026, in Nadi, Fiji, placing the priorities of Pacific Island countries at the centre of preparations for COP31. Over four days, approximately 4,000 participants from more than 100 countries discussed pathways to keep the 1.5°C temperature limit within reach, improve access to climate finance, and strengthen recognition of the ocean-climate nexus in global climate action.

A key concern was the gap between climate finance commitments and actual disbursements. More than $5 billion remains undisbursed. Australia consequently launched an Access to Finance Statement and Action Plan to help make climate finance faster, simpler and more accessible to vulnerable communities.

COP31 Logistics: Pay Attention to Correct Venue

Members of the Parliamentary Group attending COP31 are advised to confirm the conference venue to avoid confusion and delays.

The Blue Zone is located at the “EXPO 2016 Antalya grounds in Aksu, Antalya”, Türkiye, not to be confused with “Antalya Expo Center”. Delegates should verify the location when arranging transportation and consult the official COP31 venue map for guidance.

Parliamentary delegates can also get further logistical information by visiting the official COP31 Logistics page. There, information on accreditation, visa and entry requirements, travel, flight tickets, accommodation, transportation within Antalya, car rental and the conference venue is provided.

COP31 Presidency Appoints Ministerial Pairs
to Lead Negotiations

In a strategic move to smoothen negotiations, the COP31 Presidency has appointed five ministerial pairs to facilitate consultations with Parties and negotiating groups on key issues. The appointments, announced on 19 October by COP31 President-designate, Murat Kurum, and President of Negotiations, Chris Bowen, aim to build consensus and support balanced, implementation-focused outcomes across the negotiations.The appointed pairs will lead consultations on five priority areas: Mitigation, represented by Germany and India; Climate Finance, by France and the Philippines; Adaptation, led by Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom; Just Transition, led by Mexico and Poland; and Ocean-based Climate Solutions, led by Canada and Palau. More here.

COP31 Visitor Registration Now Open

The COP31 Presidency has opened registration for intending visitors to the Green Zone at COP31. Visitors are required to complete the registration process through the official COP31 website, after which a QR code will be generated for entry to the Green Zone. The Green Zone will host activities alongside the formal COP31 negotiations, providing a space for broader participation and engagement. Visitors should note that the Green Zone will be closed on 11–12 November during the Leaders’ Summit. Register to Visit the COP31 Green Zone

UNFCCC Parliamentary Group to Deliver Message
During COP31 Closing

The UNFCCC has stated that the Parliamentary Group will be given a chance to state its position during the closing ceremony of COP31. GLOBE Legislators as Focal Point, will present on behalf of the Parliamentary Group.

100 CEOs Write to Support Climate Action

More than 100 business leaders from the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders have called on governments to accelerate climate action, describing the transition to a low-carbon economy as a strategic economic opportunity.

In an open letter published on 8 October 2026, the Alliance urged policymakers to establish stable and predictable climate policies, mobilise investment and expand international climate finance, including support for the goal of raising global climate finance to at least US$1.3 trillion annually by 2035. The letter also called for faster deployment of renewable energy, electrification and energy-efficiency solutions, alongside investment in climate adaptation and resilient supply chains.

IPCC Holds 65th Session, Suspends Discussions

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suspended its 65th session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 16 October after member governments failed to reach agreement on the timeline for its Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) and the budget needed to support the remainder of the assessment cycle. The disagreement centred on when the three Working Group reports should be completed. Some countries called for the reports to be delivered in time to inform the second Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, while others advocated allowing more time for government reviews, including a proposed 2029 release for the Working Group III report on climate mitigation. 

After a week of contentious deliberations, Chair, Jim Skea, suspended the meeting to protect the inclusivity of the Panel’s consensus-based decision-making.

Bangkok Climate Action Week Wraps With Call for
New Economic Paradigm

Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW), Southeast Asia’s largest climate gathering, concluded with an open letter from the regional climate community to the World Bank and IMF delegates, calling for a fundamental shift away from an extractive economic model toward one that prioritizes people, nature, and long-term resilience.

The letter which was addressed to Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors, and leaders of the two institutions, outlined ten areas for action, including aligning finance with climate and biodiversity goals, financing just energy and food transitions, addressing sovereign debt burdens, increasing direct access to nature-related funding for local communities, and providing grants for climate-related loss and damage. 

Shell Sued for 2024 Deadly Floods in Brazil

Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and environmental NGO, Instituto Preservar, have filed a climate lawsuit against Shell’s Brazilian subsidiary seeking about US$108 million in compensation for damages associated with the devastating floods that struck Rio Grande do Sul in April and May 2024.

153rd IPU Assembly Ends with Election of New President

The 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union has concluded in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, on 9 October 2026 after five days of high-level dialogue. Nearly 700 parliamentarians from more than 130 countries took part, including 50 Speakers and 45 Deputy Speakers.

Hosted by the National Assembly of Tanzania under the theme “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all,” a key outcome was the adoption of the Arusha Communiqué. The gathering produced the Arusha Communiqué which stresses that parliamentary work must be rooted in people’s realities and that the true measure of good governance is in improved lives and equal opportunity for all.

Delegates also adopted resolutions on promoting the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities, and urgent parliamentary action to address climate-related disasters and strengthen resilience in the Himalayan region and other vulnerable areas.

It concluded with the election of Hon Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, as the IPU’s 32nd President, succeeding Tanzania’s Tulia Ackson. More here.

MP Shares Views on COP31 Presidency’s Focus on Climate Finance

Barbados MP and Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, Hon Marsha K. Caddle, has welcomed the COP31 Presidency’s focus on improving access to climate finance, highlighting debt pause clauses as an innovative financing instrument for climate-vulnerable countries.

COP31 Parliamentary Calendar Released

Ahead of COP31, GLOBE Legislators, the Focal Point of the UNFCCC’s Parliamentary Group, has released the COP31 Parliamentary Calendar. The resource curates relevant parliamentary engagements taking place at the conference to help Members of Parliament and parliamentary networks plan their engagement and strengthen the contribution of legislators to the negotiations and related activities in Antalya. The calendar provides a reference point for legislators seeking to coordinate their schedules and engage with discussions and will be updated regularly. Access the calendar here and be sure to visit daily for updated versions.

ANPCC Executive Committee Meets in Nairobi

The 2026 Executive Committee Meeting of the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC) took place on 8-9 October, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting which was hosted by the Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) brought together members of the ANPCC Executive Committee, African Members of Parliament,  and parliamentary staff to discuss progress being made, plans for COP31 and COP32, strategic priorities for 2026 and 2027, and strengthen parliamentary action on climate change in Africa.

CBD COP17: Parliamentary Dialogue on Climate and Nature Conservation Held in Yerevan

As part of events for the UN Biodiversity COP17, a parliamentary dialogue aimed at exploring the important role of parliaments in nature conservation has taken place in Yerevan, Armenia, on 13-15 October, 2026. Convened by Climate Parliament and UNIDO with support from the Green Climate Fund and the Global Futures Laboratory at the Arizona State University, the event brought together Members of Parliament from twenty countries. More here.

Parliamentary Network Reports

GLOBE Launches Dedicated COP31 Page

Focal Point of the UNFCCC Parliamentary Group, GLOBE Legislators, has, as per yearly practice, launched a dedicated page on its website for COP31. The page as always brings together all of the key information and resources MPs and parliamentary staff participating at COP31 will need. Visit the page here.

Date and Venue Fixed for IPU’s COP31
Parliamentary Meeting

The Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) Parliamentary Meeting at COP31 will take place on 16 November 2026 at the Ethno Belek Hotel in Antalya, Türkiye. Jointly organised with the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the meeting will bring together parliamentarians from around the world to strengthen parliamentary engagement in translating climate commitments into concrete action.

Parliamentarians@COP31 Webinar

This month’s Parliamentarians@COP31 webinar will take place on 28 October, 2026. There will be morning and afternoon sessions in order to accommodate the different time zones. The monthly webinars serve as information sharing sessions and further as a platform to rally members of the Parliamentary Group to take climate action including parliamentary participation in NDCs. To register, please email <focalpoint@globelegislators.org>.

GLOBE tracks parliamentary engagements in the UNFCCC process on an ongoing basis. We would like to hear from you on your parliamentary engagement on climate change. Please contact <focalpoint@globelegislators.org>

GLOBE Legislators is an international charity registered in Belgium. We work in a cross-party and non-partisan manner to ensure that elected representatives are aware of and engaged in key international processes such as the United Nations conference of parties (COPs) on climate change, biodiversity and desertification.  Since 2021, GLOBE has served as the UNFCCC Focal Point for the Parliamentary Group, providing a range of services to help inform and organise the global parliamentary constituency. We seek to do the same for the other Rio Conventions and key international institutions and processes.  As a non-profit organisation our work relies on public support and donations. If you would like to support our work, kindly Donate using our Paypal account: the beneficiary is <secretariat@globelegislators.org>
 
If you would like to support our work through sponsorship partnerships, kindly contact us at <secretariat@globelegislators.org> Thank you.

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