COP31 Türkiye 2026

A stronger Disability Caucus heads to Antalya

IDA sets out what has been won, what is still missing, and what must change at COP31 for the 1.3 billion persons with disabilities worldwide.

A stronger Caucus, built session by session

Since being recognised as an Informal Group within the UNFCCC process earlier in 2026, the Disability Caucus has grown into a coordinated network led mainly by Organisations of Persons with Disabilities. We were visible at SB64 in Bonn and set to be stronger still at COP31. IDA is one of the Caucus’s co-chairs.

A high‑level roundtable, for the first time

IDA is planning a high-level roundtable at COP31, bringing key parties and disability leaders from around the world together. This is something that has never happened at a COP before, and we look forward to discussing commitments that will significantly strengthen disability inclusion moving forward.

IDA is also leading and collaborating on several side events, with priority topics of meaningful participation, governance and finance. More information on these will be shared soon.

Building on progress  

We see real progress – COP outcome documents now reference persons with disabilities more often, including at COP30. But research from McGill University, IDA and RIADIS shows that even where disability is mentioned, concrete, funded action rarely follows. Mentioning disability in a document is not the same as building a plan people can use. We call for implementation of climate policy that reaches and fully involves persons with disabilities. The Disability Caucus policy brief highlights our main requests under key UNFCCC workstreams.

Unfinished business

The call for a Disability Constituency continues. Informal Group status was a milestone, not the destination. The Caucus continues to press for full UNFCCC constituency status – gaining visible support at SB64 – and it remains a priority at Antalya.

Accessibility - still the biggest barrier

Accessibility at COP venues has been a persistent, unresolved problem year after year. As always, IDA expects concrete improvements at COP31. Without it, participation is impossible, and disability is designed out of policy before talks even begin.

COP31

9–20 November 2026

Antalya, Türkiye

Presidency

Türkiye - host

Australia - negotiations

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