Antalya Technopark General Manager and President of the Technology Development Zones Association (TGBD), Dr. İbrahim Yavuz, and Akdeniz University Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan hosted Prof. Dr. Kasım Yenigün, General Director of Combating Desertification and Erosion (ÇEM) under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, at Akdeniz University and Antalya Technopark.

During the meeting, preparations for the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 31), planned to be held in Antalya, were discussed in detail. Key topics included inter-institutional cooperation, preparatory efforts, and the effective management of organizational processes to ensure that Antalya is optimally prepared for this major global event.

Dr. İbrahim Yavuz, General Manager of Antalya Technopark and President of TGBD, emphasized that Antalya's existing potential provides a significant advantage for hosting such international events. He highlighted that the COP 31 process represents not only an organizational effort but also an opportunity for a technology- and innovation-driven transformation. Yavuz stated that Antalya Technopark, together with its entrepreneurs and companies, is ready to actively contribute to the process by developing innovative solutions to combat climate change.

Akdeniz University Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan drew attention to the critical role of universities in this process. She noted that universities play a key role in generating scientific knowledge and translating this knowledge into practical applications. Özkan emphasized that hosting an important event such as COP 31 brings both academic and societal responsibilities, and stated that Akdeniz University will continue to provide strong academic support throughout the process.

Another key agenda item of the meeting was the Rio Synergy Action Agenda. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration among academia, public institutions, and the private sector, developing environmentally friendly technologies, and promoting sustainable solutions. It was noted that Antalya Technopark, with its strong R&D and innovation capacity, can make significant contributions to this process.

Additionally, within the framework of cooperation with the Technology Development Zones Association (TGBD), the inclusion of technology development zones across Türkiye more actively in the COP 31 preparation process was also addressed. During the discussions led by Dr. İbrahim Yavuz, evaluations were made regarding the development of joint projects, increasing knowledge sharing, and disseminating best practices.

At the end of the visit, it was emphasized that the COP 31 process, to be hosted by Antalya, represents a significant opportunity for both the city and the country.