COP31 Opening Day: BLIA Begins International Exchanges in the Blue Zone

By Pu Da and Rong Feng | Antalya, Türkiye

The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) officially opened on November 9 in Antalya, Türkiye. Kwong Djee Chan, Vice Committee Director of the BLIA World Headquarters Lay Dharma Lecturer/Teacher Fellowship Committee, and Ailun Wei, Deputy Director of the BLIA United Nations Affairs Committee, attended as representatives of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA). Through international exchanges, they shared BLIA’s achievements in promoting environmental sustainability and Humanistic Buddhism ideals.

The two representatives entered the Blue Zone, which is accessible only to official national delegations and United Nations-accredited observer organizations, and began a series of meeting. The delegation met with officials from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat to exchange views on the conference’s key agenda items, progress on national carbon reduction commitments, and potential future collaboration between BLIA and the United Nations system in areas such as climate education and youth engagement.

The delegation also met with representatives from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Discussions focused on world peace, the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the roles and contributions of women in sustainable development. They shared BLIA’s effort in promoting peace through compassion and protecting the Earth through wisdom.

BLIA has received three Blue Zone accreditation passes. Aneta Lok, a representative of Brahma Kumaris from the Netherlands, affirmed that as a reflection of BLIA’s long-term involvement in international affairs and could assist faith-based organizations to play a more active role in international climate governance.

Ailun Wei stated that during COP31, BLIA would continue participating in various side events related to religion, faith, and environmental sustainability.   Additionally, BLIA has planned a thematic side event on November 14 and to have an exhibition booth from November 16 to 19, showcasing BLIA’s achievements of its global initiatives in promoting vegetarianism, spiritual preservation, the Three Acts of Goodness, and the Four Givings.  Appealing to the international community to recognize the fundamental importance of spiritual resilience in climate action and of working together toward a more inclusive, compassionate, and sustainable future.