The panel “From Convergence to Implementation: Realizing the Blue COP”, organized by the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM) together with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, took place as a special event in Antalya on 9 November 2026, the first day of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

The event opened with remarks by Süleyman Önel, Chair of the Board of Directors of DEHUKAM and Fatih Turan, Director General of Environmental Management, Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. The keynote speech was delivered by Ambassador Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council and Advisory Board Member at DEHUKAM.

Moderated by Dr. Mustafa Başkara, CEO of DEHUKAM, the panel featured the following speakers:
Minna Epps – Global Ocean Policy Director, IUCN
Dr. Kilaparti Ramakrishna – Senior Advisor to the President and Director on Ocean and Climate Policy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Margaret Leinen – Director Emeritus and Vice Chancellor Emeritus, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
Nancy Hey – Director of Evidence & Insight, Lloyd’s Register Foundation

The panel discussed how COP31 came to be called a “Blue COP”, where science stands today on the ocean’s role in the climate system, how the pathway between ocean science and policy implementation can be smoothed, and how ocean data can be turned into scalable and verifiable climate action. Speakers closed by reflecting on what it will take for COP31 to be remembered as a truly Blue COP.

We thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.