UN Climate Change Conference

COP31 Estonian Pavilion

Explore the Programme

9–20 November 2026 | Antalya, Türkiye

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5 sessions match your filters

All times Antalya local (UTC+03:00) · Programme subject to change

Monday, 9 November 2026

11:45–12:30

High-level panel discussion

Intro session of Estonian pavilion: Unlocking the Resources Already Around Us

The world is facing interconnected challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, increasing pressure on ecosystems, growing demand for food, and rising competition for the resources needed to support industrial development and the clean transition. These challenges are often addressed in isolation, yet they are closely linked through the way societies produce, consume and manage resources. The transition to a circular economy has the potential to mitigate many of these challenges.

Pär Larshans · Laura Remmelgas(TBC) · Johan Falk · Representative of UNFCCC(TBC) · Representative of EY(TBC)

Circular Economy & ResourcesFood Systems & Agriculture

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14:15–15:00

Panel Discussion

From Wastewater challenges to Climate Solutions - Eliminating Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Water Systems

This session will explore how wastewater treatment and aquaculture systems can become important contributors to both climate mitigation and sustainable resource management. Through concrete examples and policy perspectives, participants will discuss how resource recovery approaches can reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions while improving food security, energy resilience and circularity.

Pär Larshans · Representative of UNEP(TBC) · Jonas Hagman · Representative of Havbruk(TBC) · Representative of Stockholm Environment Institute(TBC)

Carbon & Critical MaterialsCircular Economy & ResourcesClean Energy & EfficiencyDigital & Green TechFood Systems & Agriculture

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Thursday, 12 November 2026

10:30–11:15

Keynote/Spotlight

From Shower Water to Food: Estonia´s Circular Aquaponics Testbed

How can water used in our homes become a resource for growing fish and plants? Mait Kriipsalu and Merrit Shanskiy present lessons from two indoor aquaponics systems developed at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, both using reclaimed water. Combining fish farming with soil-free plant cultivation, these systems explore how nutrients from fish can support plant growth while water circulates through the system. The session considers their potential for local food production and more efficient resource use in a changing climate. It also looks beyond food: could homes, offices and community spaces host living labs that reconnect people with nature? Drawing on collaboration across the university’s disciplines, the speakers explore the knowledge and practical skills needed to balance fish, plants, water and energy - and make circular systems part of everyday life.

Prof. Mait Kriipsalu · Prof. Merrit Shanskiy

Circular Economy & ResourcesClean Energy & EfficiencyDigital & Green TechFood Systems & Agriculture

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11:45–12:30

Panel Discussion

Solutions to cover the critical materials in the EU

Critical raw materials are essential for the industries and technologies needed in the global transition, including automotive manufacturing, defence, renewable energy, electronics, infrastructure and clean technologies. At the same time, nutrients such as phosphorus are indispensable for agricultural production and global food security. Many countries and industrial value chains remain dependent on imported virgin resources from a limited number of suppliers, creating vulnerabilities linked to geopolitics, price volatility, supply disruptions and increasing global competition for finite resources. This session will focus on enabling the transition to a circular economy.

Kai Realo · Representative of the European Lime Association (ELA) - Pre-recorded video message · Alar Saluste · Tobias Eriksson · Representative of the European People's Party(TBC)

Carbon & Critical MaterialsCircular Economy & ResourcesClean Energy & EfficiencyCultural Heritage & ResilienceDigital & Green TechFood Systems & Agriculture

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Saturday, 14 November 2026

10:30–11:15

Panel Discussion

Living Soils, Resilient Food: Algae Biotechnology from Estonia to Climate-Vulnerable Farms

Healthy soil is the foundation of food security and one of the largest land-based carbon stores, yet it is degrading worldwide. In the EU alone, 60 - 70% of soils are in an unhealthy state, and the EU's first law on soil monitoring and resilience entered into force in December 2025. Climate-vulnerable regions face the same problem with fewer resources: salinity, erosion, flood damage and rising fertiliser costs. This panel asks how affordable biological inputs can restore soil at scale. Soyl Food, an Estonia-registered start-up developing algae-based biostimulants, will join soil scientists, farmers and policymakers to discuss what it takes to move soil-restoring biotechnology from European labs to farms in South Asia and the Gulf. The panel will cover evidence, field trials, data, regulation and finance, and close with practical commitments for linking Estonian innovation to global soil restoration.

Hira Wajahat Malik · Entrepreneur(TBC) · Soil Scientist(TBC) · Agriculturalist(TBC) · Policy and Finance Expert(TBC)

Carbon & Critical MaterialsCircular Economy & ResourcesClimate Finance & InvestmentFood Systems & Agriculture

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