Türkiye convenes İzmir workshop to shape COP31 water-food-climate agenda
Government representatives, UN agencies, and experts met in İzmir on 22–23 September 2026 to align regional priorities on the water-food-climate nexus ahead of COP31. The workshop, held under Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency, aimed to produce shared policy messages, an initial pipeline of solutions and investments, and a regional cooperation roadmap. Türkiye and Uzbekistan shared lessons from the Convergence Initiative, which links food systems with climate plans such as NDCs and NAPs.
The İzmir meeting on 22–23 September 2026 gathered officials, UN agencies and specialists under Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency, with UN Food Systems Coordination Hub backing. It sought common regional messages, an early set of solutions and investment prospects, COP31 examples, and a cooperation roadmap. Türkiye and Uzbekistan shared Convergence Initiative experience linking food systems with NDCs and NAPs. Türkiye had joined as a pilot and produced a blueprint after a December 2024 national workshop.
Participants also examined policy coherence and finance, and visited the İzmir Bird Sanctuary and Gediz Delta Ramsar Site for water-efficient, climate-resilient farming. FAO’s Ayşegül Selışık cited results in the Konya Closed Basin. The UN Resident Coordinator noted a Central Asia and Caucasus perspective.
The workshop’s outcomes may influence how governments in the region plan water use, farming and climate adaptation. Farmers, rural communities, water managers and food consumers could be affected if shared messages and investment pipelines lead to projects. Regional cooperation may help align funding and technical support, though concrete effects depend on follow-through and COP31 negotiations.