Saudi Green Building Forum calls for climate partnerships at COP31 in Antalya

The Saudi Green Building Forum has announced it will send a 15-member delegation to the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026.

This year, the forum’s participation is themed “The Road to Antalya: Financing Transformation in the Built Environment and Its Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts.” The focus will be on highlighting the role of financial institutions and the private sector in funding the shift toward a more sustainable built environment, linking climate finance to its economic, environmental, and social outcomes, and showcasing Saudi initiatives that support Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s goal of net zero emissions by 2060.

The forum holds accredited observer status with the three main United Nations environmental conventions: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. This status strengthens its presence at international conferences and dialogues, enabling experts and collaborators to share civil society and built environment expertise within global construction and building sector discussions.

Participation themes and forum program

Forum Secretary-General Faisal Al-Fadhl explained that the participation stems from the close link between the built environment and the challenges of climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. Cities and buildings directly impact energy and water consumption and land use, while also serving as key areas for climate solutions, quality of life improvements, and the protection of people and the environment.

Al-Fadhl added that the forum’s delegation will take part in several sessions and bilateral meetings in the Blue Zone, the official conference area that brings together senior officials, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society. The program will address topics such as finance, investment, and sustainability in the built environment, as well as present innovative initiatives in sustainable finance and climate action, and explore opportunities for international cooperation and partnerships.

About the Saudi Green Building Forum

The Saudi Green Building Forum is a non-governmental organization focused on sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and cities. It holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and has observer status with the UN conventions on climate change, desertification, and biodiversity, in addition to consultative status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).