Politics · Turkey · 7 hrs ago
Turkey Says It Did Not Invite Israel’s Government to COP31 Leaders’ Summit
Turkey did not invite Israel’s government to the COP31 leaders’ summit in Antalya, COP31 President Murat Kurum said.
He said the host country invites leaders to that summit, but all countries eligible through the UN can join conference activities and present their views and projects.
COP31 is the UN climate conference, and Turkey says it wants this year’s meeting to focus on putting earlier climate decisions into action.
Kurum said countries’ climate-finance pledges, including a stated $300 billion commitment from countries and $1 trillion from the private sector, should be fulfilled.
He also said the conference would highlight Gaza, including through a gallery named for the city and exhibitions about Palestinian experiences.
Turkey expects 102 leaders and 330 ministers to attend, with more than 100,000 visitors overall.
Kurum said former COP presidents were due to make a joint call supporting Turkey’s agenda and its focus on turning commitments into results.
Turkey’s COP31 president, Murat Kurum, said Turkey did not invite Israel’s government to the leaders’ summit.
Kurum said the host country invites leaders, while all countries are eligible to participate in UN-organized negotiations and present their views and projects.
He said Turkey’s position on Israel would not change during the conference and said the country would not remain silent about Gaza.
Kurum said 102 leaders and heads of state or government, along with 330 ministers, had confirmed their participation.
The COP31 conference is being held in Antalya.
- Who
- Turkey’s COP31 president Murat Kurum said the government did not invite Israel’s government to the leaders’ summit.
- What
- Turkey did not send Israel’s government an invitation to the COP31 leaders’ summit. Israel can still take part in UN-organized conference activities as an eligible country.
- When
- Kurum made the remarks in a televised interview reported on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- COP31 is being held in Antalya, Turkey.
- Why
- Kurum said the host country invites leaders to the summit and linked Turkey’s position to its stance on climate justice and Gaza.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kurum said Turkey had not invited Israel’s government to the COP31 leaders’ summit.
Kurum said a meeting with former COP presidents was planned, where they would make a joint call supporting Turkey’s agenda.
- Conference
- COP31
- Host city
- Antalya, Turkey
- Excluded from leaders’ summit invitation
- Israeli government
- Confirmed participants
- 102 leaders and heads of state or government; 330 ministers
- Expected visitors
- More than 100,000
What people are saying
We did not invite the Israeli government to the leaders’ meeting.
We say, “We are at ground zero. The words are over; let’s take action.
Where peace does not prevail, there is no climate justice either.
We will not remain silent about the genocide in Gaza.