Africa
THE United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is participating in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), taking place from 9–20 November 2026 at the Antalya EXPO Center in Soğucaksu, Antalya, Türkiye.
ECA’s engagement will focus on ensuring that Africa’s development priorities remain central to global climate action, particularly climate finance, adaptation and resilience, water security, sustainable investment and the implementation of African-led climate solutions.
COP31 comes as countries seek to move from climate commitments towards implementation, with climate finance, clean energy, resilience and adaptation among the major issues on the global agenda.
ECA AT COP31
Throughout COP31, ECA leaders and experts will contribute to high-level discussions, side events and Africa Pavilion engagements, bringing African evidence, policy analysis and solutions into the global climate conversation.
ECA’s communications approach will also include media engagement and interviews, dissemination of senior leadership statements, coverage of ECA-led events, podcasts and interviews with key actors. This reflects the corporate communications priorities identified for ECA’s COP31 engagement. Journalists will have opportunities to engage ECA experts on issues including:
- Climate finance: closing Africa’s financing gap and mobilizing investment at the scale required for adaptation and resilience.
- Water and climate resilience: strengthening investment in water and sanitation as foundations for climate-resilient development.
- Adaptation and resilience: accelerating African-led responses to droughts, floods and other climate-related shocks.
- Early warning and anticipatory action: expanding effective multi-hazard early-warning systems.
- Nature and ecosystems: recognizing the role of forests, landscapes and ecosystems in Africa’s climate and development agenda.
- Africa-led climate solutions: highlighting initiatives including the African Climate Commissions and the Great Green Wall.
- From COP31 to COP32: strengthening Africa’s collective voice on implementation and climate finance.
These themes are also reflected in the joint Africa Day programme, which aims to secure stronger political commitment and financing for water, sanitation and climate resilience, expand early-warning systems, and build momentum towards COP32.
AFRICA DAY AT COP31
A major moment during COP31 will be Africa Day, under the theme:
“Securing Africa’s Water: Unlocking the Continent’s Climate Resilience Goals”
The high-level programme is scheduled for 12 November 2026, 14:00–16:30, at the Africa Pavilion, with a Ministerial Segment on 14 November 2026, 13:15–14:45, in the Blue Zone, Side Event Room Yellow. Africa Day is jointly organized by the African Union Commission, African Development Bank, AUDA-NEPAD, ECA and Afreximbank, in collaboration with ACMAD.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
ECA experts will be available for interviews and background briefings during COP31.
Media representatives may request:
- Interviews with ECA senior leadership and climate experts
- Expert commentary on climate finance, adaptation and Africa’s COP31 priorities
- Interviews linked to ECA and Africa Pavilion events
- Broadcast and digital media engagements
- Background briefings and supporting material for COP31 coverage
The Africa Pavilion communications plan provides for press briefings, releases, media interviews, livestreaming, event coverage and daily digital content throughout COP31.
For more information, please visit: www.uneca.org
Issued by: Communications Section, Economic Commission for Africa
A.I
Nov. 10, 2026
Tags: COP31 ECA