In line with the goal of combating climate change and achieving a sustainable future, the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31—Conference of the Parties), which Turkey will host, will be held in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026. Ahead of the conference, an event titled “Science Diplomacy on the Road to COP31: Academic Launch” was held in Ankara to assess the role the academic community will play in the process. The meeting, held in the Conference Hall of the Council of Higher Education, was attended by Tarsus University Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Özen, accompanied by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tuğba Yolcu.

The program, hosted by the Council of Higher Education, was attended by COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum; Council of Higher Education President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar; university rectors; vice rectors responsible for COP31 coordination; and representatives of COP31 partner institutions and organizations. At the COP31 Academy Launch, discussions focused on the scientific research to be undertaken by higher education institutions during Turkey’s COP31 Presidency, international joint research projects to be carried out within the framework of science diplomacy, and academic collaborations to be developed through the COP-SCIENCE Platform.