PARLIAMENTARIANS@COP31 Newsletter | 29 September 2026, Volume 6 Issue 5

Welcome to the September issue of our multilingual Parliamentarians@COP31 newsletter, prepared by GLOBE Legislators serving as theUNFCCC 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.

The World Gathers at UNGA81

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is bringing world leaders together in New York from 22 to 29 September 2026, under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” With the high-level week underway, discussions are spanning sustainable development, climate action, global health, peace and security, and the future of multilateral cooperation. Alongside the General Debate, five high-level meetings have focused on key global priorities, including the fight against antimicrobial resistance, the prevention of nuclear war and the future of sustainable development. More here

COP31 Presidency Releases Third Letter

The COP31 Presidency released its Third Letter to Parties on 28 August, outlining key milestones and priorities ahead of the conference. The letter sets out the COP31 Action Agenda, structured around ten priority themes and supported by cross-cutting enablers including finance, technology and capacity building. It also outlines plans for Thematic Days, the Leaders’ Summit and other high-level engagements intended to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate implementation. More here.

COP31 Presidency Releases Official Website;
Opens Accommodation Portal

www.cop31.tr has been launched as the official website and database for information for COP31. In addition, a dedicated page for information on accommodation and other logistical information has been provided. Please visit early to book your accommodation. Book your accommodation here:  https://cop31.coraltravel.com

COP31 Official Ticket Agency Announced

The COP31 Presidency has appointed Section Turizm as the Official Flight Ticket Agency for the conference. Delegates travelling to Antalya can book international and domestic Turkish Airlines flights at preferential fares through the designated booking platform, providing an official channel for arranging air travel to COP31 from 9 to 20 November 2026. More here

COP31 Logistics

The COP31 Presidency has launched a dedicated logistics page to help participants prepare for the conference in Antalya. The page provides information on accreditation, visa and entry requirements, travel, flight tickets, accommodation, transportation within Antalya, car rental and the conference venue. It also curates links to relevant booking and registration platforms, providing a central resource for delegates making arrangements for COP31. More here

UN Sec Gen Convenes Highlevel Meeting
on Climate Change

UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened a high-level Climate Summit during UNGA81 to push forward action on the clean energy transition, climate finance, energy security and a just transition. The summit also highlighted new UN initiatives on clean-energy grids, critical energy-transition minerals and early warning systems, aimed at addressing some of the practical challenges slowing climate action. More here

New Work Programme Sets COP31 Priorities

The Climate High-Level Champions and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action have launched their 2026 Work Programme, setting out priorities for accelerating climate action ahead of COP31. The programme marks the first year of the Global Climate Action Agenda’s new five-year vision, with a stronger focus on implementing existing commitments. It brings together hundreds of organisations around 30 shared objectives and 120 practical plans across energy, food, nature, cities, water, human development and climate finance, with particular emphasis on clean energy, food security and zero waste. 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

Pre-COP31 Website Goes Live: Programmes Listed

Ahead of COP31, Fiji, Tuvalu and Australia will host the official Pre-COP from 5 to 8 October 2026, bringing ministers, senior representatives and stakeholders together to build momentum for the negotiations in Antalya. Australia, which is leading the negotiations, is working with its Pacific partners to place Pacific priorities, perspectives and solutions at the centre of global climate discussions. The newly launched Australia-Pacific Partnership website provides the programme and key information for the Pre-COP, including the Leaders’ events in Fiji and Tuvalu and the stakeholder programme in Nadi. More here

On the Road to COP31, a Series of Business Forums

The COP31 Presidency has launched a series of Business Forums as part of the buildup to Antalya, creating space for businesses and investors to engage with the COP31 agenda. The series began during London Climate Action Week and will continue through a number of engagements ahead of the conference, culminating in the COP31 Business Forum in Antalya on 12–13 November. The forums will focus on how businesses can contribute to climate action through investment, partnerships and practical solutions. More here

UNCCD COP17 Held

The 17th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” The event concluded  with governments adopting 34 decisions on land degradation, drought, rangelands, land tenure and related issues. A major focus was mobilising finance for implementation, including a US$1.2 billion Rangelands Flagship Initiative covering 45 projects and a US$1.3 billion portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience across 23 countries. UNCCD and Luxembourg also launched the Drought Resilience Investment Facility, which aims to mobilise up to US$400 million in public and private capital., while negotiations on a legally binding global drought protocol were deferred to COP18. More here

UNFCCC Climate Week 4 & BCAW 2026 Held

The fourth UNFCCC Climate Week was held in Baku from 7–11 September 2026, bringing together governments and other stakeholders to build momentum towards COP31. Its programme included an Implementation Forum focused on translating decisions under the intergovernmental climate process into action. Running alongside it was the third edition of Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW), an annual high-level platform launched by the COP29 Presidency in 2024 to bring together stakeholders around practical climate solutions. Led by COP29 Climate High-Level Champion, Nigar Arpadarai MP and jointly MC’d again by Malini Mehra, GLOBE Legislators chief executive, BCAW 2026 featured 37 events focused on Azerbaijan’s climate priorities and wider international climate action, complementing the UNFCCC programme with discussions on stakeholder engagement, partnerships, investment and implementation. More here.

Türkiye to Have Final Say on COP31 Outcomes

The division of responsibilities between Türkiye and Australia for COP31 has come under renewed attention after Türkiye’s Environment Minister and COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said Türkiye would have the final say over the conference’s outcomes. Under the Türkiye–Australia Partnership Modalities, Australia is serving as President of Negotiations, with responsibility for leading the formal negotiations, while Türkiye is leading the COP31 Presidency and the Action Agenda. The arrangement is intended to operate through consultation between the two countries, although Kurum’s comments have raised questions about how differences between the two roles would be resolved if they arise during the conference. More here.

COP31 Business Forum Holds New York Dialogue
at UNGA81

The COP31 Business Forum held its New York Dialogue on 22 September during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, bringing the COP31 Action Agenda to the global business community. Hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and Bloomberg, the dialogue brought together business leaders to discuss the role of the private sector in advancing the COP31 priorities. The engagement is part of a year-long Business Forum process launched during London Climate Action Week, which will culminate in the COP31 Business and Investment Summit in Antalya on 12–13 November. The recommendations developed through the Forum will be presented to heads of state and government at the Summit. More here

COP30 Presidency Opens Call for Events
at its COP31 Pavilion

The Brazil COP30 Presidency has invited organisations and stakeholders to propose events for its COP31 pavilion in Antalya, Türkiye. The pavilion will feature two spaces: the Belém Room, focusing on issues relevant to Brazilian society and linking Brazil’s experience in implementing climate commitments with the global agenda; and the Global Mutirão Room, which will focus on the six areas emerging from the first Global Stocktake and the 120 Plans to Accelerate Solutions. Proposed sessions will include panels, debates and presentations of climate solutions, bringing Brazilian and international perspectives into the COP31 programme. More here

Istanbul Climate Finance and Ocean and Seas
Summits Held

Türkiye’s preparations for COP31 have included two high-level summits designed to advance key elements of the COP31 Action Agenda. The Istanbul Climate Finance Summit, held on 4–5 September, focused on mobilising finance and investment , and strengthening pathways for turning climate commitments into bankable projects. The Ocean and Seas Summit, held in Trabzon on 10–11 September, addressed the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems, with attention to blue carbon, ocean observation, data sharing, finance and implementation partnerships. Both summits form part of the Presidency’s broader effort to strengthen cooperation, develop scalable solutions and build implementation pathways ahead of the conference in Antalya.

The Istanbul Climate Finance Summit concluded with calls for stronger action to close the global climate finance gap ahead of COP31. The summit saw the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE), a flagship COP31 initiative aimed at connecting climate priorities with finance-ready projects, move towards operationalisation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) named as its delivery partner. Participants also endorsed the Istanbul Declaration on Climate Implementation and Finance, committing to greater cooperation among development banks, climate funds, financial institutions and other partners to accelerate climate investment. The COP31 Presidency estimates that global climate finance needs stand at US$7.5–9 trillion, compared with current investment of around US$1.9 trillion. More here

BRICS Leaders Summit Declaration
Backs Climate Action

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, held on 12–13 September 2026, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, which reaffirms the bloc’s commitment to climate action and implementation of the Paris Agreement, with emphasis on adaptation, climate finance, and support for developing countries. It also highlights the need to address barriers to climate investment, including debt-related constraints, and calls for a more balanced and equitable approach to international climate cooperation. The declaration stops short of endorsing a phaseout of fossil fuels, noting that fossil fuels will continue to play an important role in the energy mix, particularly for emerging-market and developing economies. More here.

US EPA Scraps Emissions Limit

UK to invest in Tropical Forest Forever Facility

CCDA-14 Concludes in Addis Ababa

Independent’s 100 Climate Leaders Announced1

New York Climate Action Week Ends

35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge Launched
at UNGA81

GLOBE President Calls for African Agency
on Climate Change

UK Parliament Raises Concerns Over
Climate Finance Cuts

The UK Parliament’s International Development Committee has raised concerns that cuts to the UK’s aid budget are undermining the country’s ability to deliver its international climate finance commitments. In its latest report, the Committee warns that changes in accounting and the increasing use of loans rather than grants risk reducing the finance reaching low-income and highly climate-vulnerable countries. While the UK Government has maintained its commitment to international climate finance, including around £6 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) for climate finance between 2026–27 and 2028–29, MPs argue that the shrinking aid budget requires greater transparency, stronger spending priorities and measures to ensure climate finance delivers meaningful outcomes for countries most in need. More here.

153rd Assembly of the IPU Slated for October

The 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is scheduled to take place in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5–9 October 2026, bringing together parliamentarians from around the world for a week of parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue. Holding under the theme “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all,” the Assembly will convene the IPU’s statutory bodies and address issues including governance, human rights, sustainable development, climate action and emerging technologies. The programme will also include the election of a new IPU President and discussions aimed at strengthening parliamentary action on global challenges. Register and read more here.

SEEC Launches the Thriving Economy Project

The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Institute has launched the Thriving Economy Project, a comprehensive menu of policy ideas developed with Members of Congress, former senior congressional aides, officials from multiple presidential administrations and energy and environmental policy experts. The project brings together more than 800 policy recommendations across nine areas. Its recommendations seek to address interconnected economic and environmental challenges while supporting more affordable, reliable and sustainable growth. More here.

Members of the US Congress Meet with UN Sec Gen

Members of the US Congress met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the 81st United Nations General Assembly and New York Climate Week to discuss the intersection between climate action and economic affordability. The discussions reflected growing attention among US lawmakers to climate policy as part of broader economic concerns affecting communities, including energy costs, jobs and economic competitiveness. Members of Congress involved in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Institute’s Thriving Economy Project were also advancing the project’s policy proposals during Climate Week. The project brings together more than 800 recommendations across nine areas for consideration by the next US Congress. More here

Parliamentary Network Reports

Parliamentarians@COP31 Webinar

The next monthly Parliamentarians@COP31 webinar will take place on 30 September, 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>

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