Negotiators Gather in Antalya, Turkey, for COP31 Climate Talks as Global Temperatures Are Set to Breach a Key Threshold

Summary

Delegates from more than 190 countries are gathering in Antalya, Turkey, for the annual United Nations climate talks known as COP31, with heads of government meeting over the next fortnight. The New York Times reports that global temperatures are set to breach a key threshold. The Guardian reports that the United States will be absent from the summit and that the talks will examine why the summit matters and what it is likely to achieve. The Guardian also reports that the summit's host says it must produce a tangible outcome that people can see is real. RTÉ reports that support for the countries hardest hit by climate change will be high on the agenda. The high-stakes talks begin on Monday as countries grapple with the strongest El Niño on record, which the Guardian says is supercharged by fossil fuels.

Timeline

1. New York Times

   8 Nov 2026, 10:01 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that negotiators and leaders are gathering in Antalya, Turkey, for the annual United Nations climate talks, and that global temperatures are set to breach a key threshold.

2. The Guardian

   8 Nov 2026, 11:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that delegates from more than 190 countries are gathering in Turkey for climate talks, that the US will be absent, and that heads of government are meeting for the next fortnight to examine what the talks are likely to achieve.

3. The Guardian

   8 Nov 2026, 13:24 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the COP31 host says the summit must produce a tangible outcome that people can see is real, as high-stakes talks involving about 190 countries begin on Monday amid the strongest El Niño on record, which is supercharged by fossil fuels.

4. RTÉ

   9 Nov 2026, 07:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that world leaders gathering in Turkey for COP31 this week will put support for the countries hardest hit by climate change high on the agenda.