What is the COP, and why is it relevant to your organization?

Starting November 9, 2026, representatives from 197 States Parties will gather in Antalya, Turkey, for COP31, the thirty-first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. VGC Abogados outlines the key aspects of this milestone in global climate governance.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted in 1992. It serves as the forum where States negotiate legal and political commitments to address the climate crisis and where global environmental governance is shaped.

Each year, the COP brings together government delegations, international bodies, the private sector, academia, and civil society to assess progress, agree on new goals, and define financing and adaptation mechanisms. It is the institutional space where all actors influencing international climate policy converge.

It is not merely a matter of political declarations. Decisions adopted at COPs can create binding obligations, guide national regulations, and set market standards that directly impact companies, investors, and communities. For those of us advising on environmental law and ESG, each Conference of the Parties represents a regulatory turning point that our clients must anticipate and manage proactively.

Understanding the COP means understanding the framework that underpins global climate governance. The extreme weather events in recent months confirm that climate action must be a governance priority at all levels. This requires engaging all stakeholders to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (mitigation) and develop policies, plans, and strategies that reduce vulnerability and build resilient infrastructure and systems (adaptation).

At VGC Abogados, we closely monitor developments in the international climate agenda and translate them into strategic legal advice for our clients. Please get in touch with any questions about how climate governance and obligations from COP 31 may affect your organization.