Van Oord presents at COP31 Climate Summit in Türkiye

November 13, 2026

Following its participation in New York Climate Week, Van Oord will take part in COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, from 11 to 17 November 2026, where governments, businesses and civil society will come together to accelerate the implementation of climate commitments and translate ambition into action.

With more than 150 years of maritime expertise, Van Oord works on projects that strengthen coasts, restore marine ecosystems and support offshore renewable energy. Through its participation in the past five UN Climate Conferences, Van Oord has contributed practical experience to discussions on climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure.

At COP31, Van Oord will engage with policymakers, NGOs, knowledge institutions and industry partners on the role of oceans and coastal infrastructure in addressing climate and nature challenges, with a focus on turning commitments into concrete projects and outcomes.

‘As COP31 shifts the focus from ambition to implementation, ocean restoration offers a real opportunity to turn climate and biodiversity commitments into action. Healthy marine ecosystems strengthen coastal resilience, support biodiversity and create value for communities. The challenge now is to build scalable, investable projects and the partnerships needed to move from ambition to measurable impact at scale.’

Eva Båsk, Director Van Oord Ocean Health

Taking place at a critical moment for global climate action, COP31 will bring together world leaders, policymakers, businesses, investors, researchers and civil society to advance progress on climate adaptation, resilience, climate finance and nature-based solutions. As the global conversation increasingly shifts from setting targets to delivering measurable outcomes, discussions are expected to focus on how partnerships, investment and innovation can help scale climate action and strengthen resilience worldwide.

As part of its COP31 programme, Van Oord will co-host a reception with DHI on 16 November at the Water Pavilion. Titled ” From Pledge to pipeline: Financing and implementing nature-based solutions for coastal resilience and nature restoration”, the event will bring together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss how coastal resilience projects can move from ambition to implementation. It will also provide an opportunity to exchange insights, strengthen existing partnerships, and explore new opportunities for collaboration on nature-based solutions.

Van Oord representatives attending COP31 include Robert de Bruin, Director Stakeholders & Sustainability; Mark Roelofs, Director Dredging; Viviana Franco Hernandez, Sustainability & Public Affairs Coordinator; and Eva Båsk, Director Van Oord Ocean Health. They will take part in meetings, panel discussions, and stakeholder engagements throughout the conference.