Architectural Project Review: Antalya's Preparation for COP31, Yerevan World Trade Center, and Other Initiatives

The thirty-first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026. The event will gather international participants to discuss global climate challenges and possible ways to overcome them.

The conference is expected to attract representatives from governments, international organizations, the scientific community, business, and civil society. The main focus will be on measures to combat climate change and strengthen international cooperation.

Key areas of the conference work

Key priorities will include the implementation of the Paris Agreement, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to climate change, climate finance, and international partnership. One of the main events will be the Summit of World Leaders on Climate Action, which will take place on November 11–12.

Heads of state and government plan to discuss national climate challenges, progress in fulfilling international obligations, and opportunities to accelerate climate transformations. The COP31 program will cover a wide range of topics, including energy, sustainable agriculture, food security, biodiversity conservation, urban development, and the implementation of eco-friendly technologies.

Thematic days will be organized on climate finance and 'green' investments, transport, circular economy, youth and education, scientific research, industrial innovation, water ecosystems, and sustainable tourism.

Opportunities for Central Asia

For Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries, this conference presents a chance to address pressing environmental issues, particularly water scarcity, desertification, land degradation, and the need to adapt to climate change. Discussions at COP31 may open up additional prospects for expanding international cooperation and attracting investment in environmental protection projects.

Potential areas of interaction include the implementation of water-saving technologies, ecosystem restoration, development of renewable energy, and measures to increase agricultural sustainability. The scientific community, youth, and business should also play a significant role in developing and applying practical climate solutions.

A central issue at the conference will be translating international climate commitments into measurable results. Achieving climate goals will require access to financing, technological development, and stronger partnerships between states. For Uzbekistan, COP31 will be a platform to demonstrate national environmental initiatives, strengthen international relations, and study additional mechanisms for supporting projects aimed at solving climate problems. The success of the conference will depend not only on the agreements reached but also on the effectiveness of their implementation into practical actions.

The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9th to 20th. The event will operate under a mixed governance model, where Turkey will host the summit and the presidency, while Australia will lead the formal negotiations.

This meeting will bring together various stakeholders, such as national delegates, government representatives, scientists, businesses, and civil society, with the aim of debating global climate action. Topics include emission reduction, adaptation to climate effects, and climate finance, at a time when countries are dealing with extreme weather events, resource consumption, and the shift towards low-emission economies.

This year's agenda dedicates specific discussions to topics such as zero waste, energy, and transport, while also focusing on more resilient cities. In preparation for the conference, the SP Architects office is renovating the former EXPO 2016 park in Antalya to host the event, with the intention of keeping the site in use after COP31 concludes.

The thematic subjects of COP31 encompass energy and transport, food and agriculture, climate finance, circular economy, and the preservation of oceans and terrestrial ecosystems. November 11th and 12th will be reserved for the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, a moment when heads of state and government will meet to discuss international cooperation and environmental commitments.

On November 12th, there will be a special focus on resilient cities and the built environment. Topics such as low-climate impact buildings, urban resilience, disaster risk management, local governments, smart cities, natural solutions, mobility, infrastructure, and sustainable waste systems will be addressed. These debates will occur within the context of the environmental impact of the construction sector, covering emissions related to building operation and the manufacturing of construction materials.

The chosen venue for COP31 utilizes the structure originally developed for EXPO 2016 Antalya, an international horticultural fair. This site, located in the Aksu district of Antalya, featured landscaped areas, exhibition facilities, and buildings focused on agriculture and biodiversity. SP Architects is making adaptations to this existing site through a mix of renovations and new structures, both permanent and temporary.

The conference space will be divided into two zones with distinct purposes. The Blue Zone, managed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will be the venue for formal negotiations and meetings with accredited participants. The Green Zone will be dedicated to public events, exhibitions, and debates. Uniting these two areas in the same location requires careful planning of circulation flows, security perimeters, and shared facilities.

According to SP Architects, the design team has led the development from the conceptual phase to construction over the past year. This work was carried out from an office located on the site itself and in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the UNFCCC, and other stakeholders.

The project integrates modular and recyclable construction elements, along with measures focused on environmental control and operational efficiency. There are plans for the space to continue hosting fairs, shows, and other events after COP31, in coordination with the metropolitan and district administrations of Antalya. This planned continuity expands the utility of the site beyond the international conference, relying on the infrastructure created for a previous large-scale event.

Past COP editions have highlighted both the progress in international climate negotiations and the obstacles in turning promises into practical actions. Following the climate finance goal set at COP29 in Baku and the advances of COP30 regarding adaptation finance and just transition in Belém, COP31 will take place in a scenario of continuous discussions on emission reduction and climate finance. Under the motto 'From Dialogue to Consensus, From Consensus to Action,' the Antalya conference seeks to reinforce the implementation of current climate agreements, including those related to sustainable development and urban resilience.

Uzbekistan has put forward a number of initiatives to Afghanistan in the fields of construction and infrastructure. Among these proposals is the creation of a residential and public complex on a 60-hectare territory located near Kabul International Airport. Furthermore, the Uzbek side proposed the development of a business center and residential buildings directly in the capital of Afghanistan.

These proposals were presented by an Uzbek delegation led by Bobur Elmurodov, the CEO of 'O‘zshaharsozlik LITI'. The meeting took place with Nasih Rabbani, Deputy Minister of Urban Development and Housing Construction of Afghanistan, and other experts.

In addition to projects in Kabul, the Uzbek side also suggested implementing plans in the Hayraton industrial zone. In the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the possibility of creating a meat processing cluster that would supply Uzbekistan with high-quality meat products is being considered.

The Afghan side expressed readiness to ensure favorable conditions for the activities of Uzbek companies on its territory. As a result of the meeting, it was proposed to open a representative office of 'O‘zshaharsozlik LITI' in Kabul, as well as organize training for Afghan specialists in construction specialties.

In October, the Uzbek delegation plans to continue the dialogue with the relevant ministry of Afghanistan and inspect construction sites in Kabul, including those related to the 'New Kabul' project. Previously, a delegation from the Agency of Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan visited Afghanistan to assess the condition of historical monuments related to the culture and history of the region, discussing the involvement of Uzbek specialists in their preservation and restoration.