Lead:
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and member of the Supreme Council, arrived in Antalya, Turkey on November 11 to head the UAE delegation at the COP31 leaders' summit. He represents President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the two-day climate conference, where the UAE is advancing international cooperation on climate change while building on outcomes from COP28, which the country hosted in Dubai last year.
Details:
According to Al-Khaleej, the UAE's participation in COP31 reflects its commitment to tackling climate challenges through multilateral engagement. The delegation's presence at the November 11–12 summit signals continuity in the country's climate diplomacy following its presidency of COP28, where it secured historic agreements on loss and damage financing and fossil fuel transition language.
The summit convenes world leaders to assess progress on climate commitments and chart new pathways for emissions reductions and adaptation. COP31 takes place amid intensifying climate impacts globally and renewed pressure on nations to strengthen nationally determined contributions ahead of the 2025 deadline for revised climate pledges.
The timing underscores the UAE's dual strategy: maintaining visibility in global climate governance while delegating representation to a senior emirate ruler, signaling both continuity of leadership commitment and decentralized engagement across the federation.
Watch For:
— Whether the UAE tables new climate finance commitments or renewable energy targets at COP31, building on its COP28 legacy.
— How the delegation navigates divergent positions on carbon markets, adaptation funding, and the role of fossil fuel producers in the energy transition.
— Whether COP31 outcomes are leveraged during the UN Water Conference 2026, scheduled to be hosted in Abu Dhabi next year.