A figure skater on cracking ice: Türkiye releases new film ahead of COP31 in Antalya

Türkiye unveiled a new promotional film for the U.N. climate conference COP31, which it hosts in Antalya Nov. 9-20. Environment Minister Murat Kurum said 91 heads of state have confirmed attendance so far.

Türkiye has released a new promotional film for COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, which it will host in the Mediterranean city of Antalya this month. The film closes with the message "Listen to the voice of the climate before the ice melts" and a reminder that more than 190 parties will gather in Türkiye.

A performance that breaks the ice

The roughly 90-second film follows a young Turkish figure skater named İklim, which means "climate" in Turkish, as she competes at an international event in front of cheering fans. As her routine builds, the ice beneath her skates cracks and shatters, and she plunges into dark water, a metaphor for the climate crisis that ends with the line "The climate is changing!"

Close-up of figure skates cutting into melting ice in the COP31 film

91 leaders confirmed

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum said 91 heads of state have so far confirmed they will attend. He said delegations from 196 countries, nearly 300 ministers and about 1.5 million visitors are expected, along with international organizations, scientists, business leaders and civil society.

The conference is scheduled for Nov. 9-20 at the Antalya EXPO Center.