World leaders gather in Türkiye for COP31 electrification summit
The two-day summit opens with a Turkish push to raise electricity's share of global energy use to 35% by 2035.
World leaders are set to gather in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday for a two-day summit at the COP31 United Nations climate conference, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
The Turkish presidency of the conference wants electrification to be the centerpiece of efforts to translate climate pledges into concrete steps.
Türkiye is asking countries to back a proposal that would lift electricity's share of global energy use to 35 percent by 2035.
Electrification means replacing fuels that are burned directly in transport, buildings and industry with power, such as through electric vehicles or heat pumps.
Negotiators are also pressing for progress on moving the world away from fossil fuels.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are scheduled to speak at the opening session at the Antalya Expo Center.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose country hosted last year's climate talks, is expected to address the gathering, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are also expected to speak, the agency said.
Heads of state and government will give national statements over the two days, with roundtables and bilateral meetings held alongside them.
COP31 began on Monday and runs through Nov. 20, with Türkiye holding the presidency and Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen leading the negotiations.
Wednesday's sessions focus on zero waste, Thursday's on making cities and buildings more resilient to climate impacts, and Friday's on finance and trade.
Countries whose leaders did not deliver national statements during the two-day summit will have a chance to do so when the high-level segment resumes on Nov. 17-18.
The COP meetings are the annual talks held under the UN climate framework, where governments negotiate steps to limit global warming and cope with its effects.
