The following is a transcript of remarks delivered by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell during a COP31 Presidency press conference in Antalya, Türkiye, on 10 November 2026. Remarks from the COP31 President Murat Kurum and the COP31 President of Negotiations Chris Bowen to follow shortly.
You can watch the press conference on playback here.
UN Climate Change
Executive Secretary Simon Stiell
Transcript of opening statement at COP31 Presidency Press Conference
10 November 2026, 11:20 a.m.
Antalya, Türkiye
Welcome to COP31 here in Antalya.
This year, we're working differently:
Focusing more than ever before on practical solutions that help countries deliver global commitments and national plans.
Through both negotiations and the Global Climate Action Agenda - two parallel and complementary tracks.
And with the tireless work of the Presidency and President of Negotiations, my friends Murat and Chris.
To bring the benefits of climate action to more people, in more places, faster and much, much fairer.
This COP is taking place amid very tough times.
As climate-driven destruction wrecks millions of lives and rips shreds off GDP around the world.
As fossil fuel cost chaos this year have sent the global economy on a white-knuckle ride, letting loose the dogs of inflation.
No COP has a magic wand that can solve these multiples crises overnight.
But each recent COP has delivered significant steps forward and COP31 must too.
The way COP31 can do this is by focusing on practical solutions.
Today's focus is electrification.
Nations now face a choice: electric or shock. Rewire the global economy for the electricity age. Or accept ongoing fossil fuel cost pain for families, firms, and national budgets.
All countries can benefit from efficient electro-tech, powered by clean energy - which cuts pollution and household costs.
Because clean energy is cheap energy. 90% of large renewable projects are now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, according to IRENA.
Something unimaginable when the Paris Agreement was struck at the 21st UN Climate Conference.
A bit over ten years later, and renewables have now overtaken coal in global electricity generation.
But the global transition remains very uneven, and many nations need much more support to get fully on board.
Working hand in hand with electrification, clean energy protects economies from the ruinous rollercoaster of fossil fuel dependency.
Up to 75% of energy demand can already be electrified with existing technologies.
We need to roll out those solutions out faster, to far more communities in more countries. As we continue expanding access to electricity.
180 companies with combined total revenue of almost $1.7 trillion are calling on COP to "seize the electric advantage."
And the COP31 Presidency Action Agenda 35 by 35 electrification goal can help the world do so. So I urge governments and businesses, cities and states, to get on board.
Friends,
There's no quick fix to climate. There is a ton of hard work ahead.
But our climate solutions step-up creates a real chance for faster progress here at COP31.
And we must take that.
