Protesters and alternative summit gather in Antalya during COP31 climate conference

Thousands of people gathered in central Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, to demand more ambitious climate action and criticize the influence of the fossil fuel industry. The demonstration, which took place during rain, marked the beginning of the People's Climate Summit, an alternative event running alongside the official COP31 climate conference. The march proceeded from Aydin Kanza Park to Cumhuriyet Square.

The scale of the gathering remains a subject of varying estimates. Organizers estimated the turnout at 5,000 participants, while some reports suggested 7,000 people attended. Other outlets reported that the number of protesters exceeded 10,000. The event was organized by a coalition of Turkish organizations, including political parties, trade unions, and environmental NGOs. While Turkish authorities authorized the protest, participants were required to undergo police searches and present signs at designated checkpoints.

Demands and perspectives from the summit

The People's Climate Summit is scheduled to continue until November 18, 2026, and includes approximately 150 activities involving participants from nearly 30 countries. Participants expressed significant dissatisfaction with the current progress of international climate negotiations. Halime Saman, an activist from the People's Climate Summit platform, stated, "People suffer the consequences of climate injustice but their voices are not heard at the COP."

The summit provides a platform for voices that participants feel are excluded from official proceedings. Turkish lawyer Asli Han said, "The most important thing is that the voice of the people can participate in this meeting." Protester Ezgi Teymur expressed concerns regarding the impact of current policies, stating, "The COP does not benefit the working class and destroys ecosystems." Additionally, Yasar Gokoglu, a 78-year-old protester who traveled 600 km from Adana to Antalya, criticized the official process, saying, "The COP31 is a masquerade sponsored by monopolies."

Security and social context

The demonstration occurred within a complex social and political environment. German State Secretary for Culture Claudia Roth commented on the necessity of maintaining order, stating, "There should be no aggression or arrests; security forces must remain moderate."

The protest follows a history of restricted assembly in Turkey, where mass gatherings are often prohibited. This follows recent crackdowns on protests and certain associations. During the march, some participants faced logistical challenges; for example, media reports noted that LGBT activist Burak Deniz had to entrust signs to exempt MPs to prevent them from being confiscated.

The official COP31 conference is currently being held in Antalya and is expected to conclude by Friday, November 20, 2026. The summit involves representatives from approximately 200 countries.

Glossary

• COP31 — COP31 is the 2026 United Nations climate conference. It is being organized jointly by Turkey and Australia.
• People's Climate Summit — The People's Climate Summit is an alternative event running alongside the official COP31 climate conference. It provides a platform for voices that participants feel are excluded from official proceedings.