COP31 opens in Antalya with accreditation chaos, 5-hour queues
COP31 kicks off in Antalya, Türkiye with accreditation chaos leaving delegates stranded for hours. Premium Times reporter spent four hours collecting a badge Monday while queues stretched past five hours for some participants. Shuttle buses packed attendees "like sardines" according to climate expert Corazon Kisilu, with traffic congestion adding to the misery.
The 31st UN Climate Change Conference runs November 9-20, bringing together governments, negotiators, scientists and civil society to push climate commitments into action. Key focus areas: climate finance, adaptation, energy transition, food security and resilient infrastructure—critical for developing nations seeking support.
Jordanian observer Leen Jones arrived early but still faced exhausting delays. Kisilu, who's attended previous COPs, called the experience unusual and hopes organizers fix logistics before substantive talks begin. Over $375 million in climate-health funding was also mobilized on day one.
For Nigerian stakeholders tracking climate finance negotiations, the rocky start signals potential delays in formal sessions. Will Antalya's infrastructure handle two weeks of 40,000+ participants, or will logistics overshadow the climate agenda?