23 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and representatives of Türkiye discussed possible cooperation on water resilience, local climate action and capacity development ahead of COP31 in Antalya. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Executive Director of UNITAR, met Nilhan Ayan, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and COP31 Climate Envoy, Ambassador Sözen Usluer and a delegation from Türkiye at UNITAR in Geneva.

The meeting focused on four possible areas of cooperation: training for local decision-makers and technical teams, water resilience, youth engagement and support for cities developing projects that can attract climate finance. Any cooperation framework remains subject to consultation with the relevant institutions and the necessary approvals.

The challenge before us is no longer simply to raise ambition, but to translate that ambition into concrete action, said Gyles-McDonnough.

Ayan described COP31 as a conference focused on implementation and outlined Türkiye’s climate priorities, including its 2053 net-zero target, the Climate Law adopted in 2025 and local climate action plans being prepared at the provincial level.

Water resilience was central to the discussion. Ebru Canan-Sokullu, Director of the UNITAR Global Water Academy, presented the Academy’s work on Sustainable Development Goal 6 and its efforts to strengthen knowledge, skills and institutional capacity for sustainable water governance.

Ayan highlighted Türkiye’s National Water Plan for 2026–2035, which entered into force in March 2026. Possible areas of cooperation include technical training, exchanges of good practices and pilot projects in selected cities, potentially in cooperation with İLBANK.

Alex Mejia, Director of UNITAR’s Division for People and the CIFAL Global Network, presented the Network’s work with local governments, universities and other stakeholders. CIFAL Istanbul has reached more than 160,000 people through training, knowledge exchange and capacity-development activities since its establishment, providing a possible foundation for expanded cooperation in Türkiye.

The discussion also covered UNITAR’s planned COP31 Blue Zone engagement on water-smart solutions for climate-resilient cities. The proposed event would provide an opportunity to present practical approaches to water resilience and explore support for municipalities beyond the conference. 

Through its proposed Green Zone engagement on eco-leadership, UNITAR will contribute to environmental education, youth empowerment and community participation. In response to that, Ms. Ayan proposed linking UNITAR's Green Helmets Programme with Türkiye's National Afforestation Mobilisation Campaign. 

The meeting concluded with a proposal to develop a joint roadmap for 2027 and beyond. This could include training for local authorities, cooperation between İLBANK and the UNITAR Global Water Academy, youth engagement and assistance for cities preparing climate-resilient projects.

Subject to institutional consultation and approval, the two sides will explore a cooperation framework that could be announced during COP31.