About Academy

The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, served as a global gathering where TÜBA played a prominent role through its scientific events, international collaborations, and academic publications.

While TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker represents Türkiye at the summit’s high-level sessions, the Academy will highlight the contribution of scientific knowledge to climate policies and solution processes through events it will organize on topics such as climate change, energy, water and food security, health systems, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation.

One of the Most Important Gatherings on the Global Climate Agenda Takes Place in Antalya
Held in Antalya from November 9–20, 2026, COP31 serves as one of the most comprehensive international platforms gathering countries affiliated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to address the fight against climate change and the future of global climate policies. Bringing together representatives from approximately 200 countries, the summit unites government officials, international organizations, scientists, universities, the private sector, and civil society organizations around a common agenda.

With topics such as mitigating the effects of climate change, developing adaptation policies, climate finance, energy transition, food and water security, resilient cities, and sustainable development on the agenda, COP31 also provides a crucial platform for transforming scientific research and technological innovations into globally applicable solutions. At the summit, where the Ministry of Industry and Technology and its affiliated and related organizations are participating with an extensive program, TÜBA will also carry out its activities to strengthen the contribution of scientific research to decision-making processes and to represent Türkiye’s academic expertise on the international stage.

TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker to Participate in High-Level Sessions at COP31
TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker will speak at a side event titled “Science and Leadership for Climate-Resilient Health Systems,” to be held on November 9 at the Blue Zone Türkiye Pavilion as part of COP31.

The session, scheduled for 13:30–14:15, will be moderated by Dr. Victor J. Dzau, President of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine. In addition to TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, speakers will include Dr. Agnes Soares da Silva, Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Surveillance at the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health at the World Health Organization and ATACH Global Champion; and Prof. Dr. Daniel Murdiyarso, President of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, will also participate as speakers. The session will address advancing commitments in the fields of climate and health, identifying priorities for building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems, and examining the role of science, leadership, and international cooperation in this process, while also evaluating solutions to the impacts of climate change on health systems.

On November 16, Prof. Şeker will serve as a panelist at the High-Level Ministerial Session organized as part of COP31 Science Day. The session, titled “Science Update in a Rapidly Changing World and Earth: Avoiding Tipping Points and Managing Overshoot”, the session will address scientific developments in a rapidly changing world, preventing the crossing of critical thresholds, and managing the impacts of climate change.

Panel on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Co-Coordinated by TÜBA

One of the key events in TÜBA’s COP31 program will be the international panel titled “AI and Digital Innovation: Bridging the Gap to Scalable Climate Solutions,” to be held on November 16 in the Blue Zone. The panel, organized under TÜBA’s co-coordination and scheduled for 11:00–12:00, will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Claudio Cañizares from the University of Waterloo in Canada.

The session will feature Prof. Dr. Tariq Durrani from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom; Reyna Úbeda, a representative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Dr. Surekha Deshmukh from Tata Consultancy Services in India; and Prof. Dr. Can Özgür Çolpan, faculty member at Dokuz Eylül University (DEU) and a member of TÜBA-GEBİP and TÜBA Energy Working Group, will serve as speakers. The panel will assess the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and digital technologies in combating climate change, the role of digital innovation in scaling up climate solutions, and the transformation of scientific and technological advancements into sustainable applications.

At the Center of TÜBA Events: Climate Change, Water, and Food Security
TÜBA’s scientific contributions to the climate change and sustainability agenda will also be featured in the summit’s Green Zone program.

TÜBA Full Member Prof. Dr. K. Arzum Erdem Gürsan will also deliver a talk titled “Biosensors for Food and Water Security” (Gıda ve Su Güvenliğine Yönelik Biyoalgılayıcılar). The event, scheduled for 15:30–16:30, will address the scientific and technological opportunities and advantages offered by biosensor technologies in monitoring food and water security. On November 17, another talk titled “Climate Change and Water Security: Science and Technology for Resilient Cities” (İklim Değişikliği ve Su Güvenliği: Dirençli Şehirler İçin Bilim ve Teknoloji) will be presented by TÜBA Full Members Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Aydın. During the event, which will take place from 10:30 to 11:30, the impacts of climate change on water resources, water security, and the role of science and technology in enhancing cities’ resilience to climate change will be evaluated. TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker will also visit the event on November 17 to meet with academics contributing to the Academy’s scientific work.

On the same day, from 16:00 to 18:00 at the Blue Zone, the Türkiye Water Institute (SUEN) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will host a session titled “Securing Food Safety in a Changing Climate: The One Water, One Health Perspective” (Değişen İklimde Gıda Güvenliğinin Sağlanması: Tek Su, Tek Sağlık Yaklaşımı) organized by the Turkish Water Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

TÜBA Participates in COP31 with Its Scientific Publications
In addition to the scientific events it will hold throughout COP31, TÜBA will also make scientific publications prepared by the Academy available to summit participants. It is located in the Ministry of Industry and Technology Pavilion. The Academy’s books and scientific publications are on display at the TÜBA booth.

COP (Conference of the Parties), is the highest-level global climate summit held annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was adopted in 1992. Bringing together heads of state and government, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society representatives from around the world, the COP serves as the primary platform for negotiating and advancing collective action to combat climate change.