Türkiye to host COP31 as Australia takes charge of climate negotiations

Türkiye is set to host the COP31 United Nations climate summit in Antalya next year, while Australia would lead government negotiations under a compromise deal taking shape at COP30 in Brazil.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that talks in Brazil had produced a near-final agreement to end a long-running stand-off over who would stage the summit, after both Türkiye and Australia lodged competing bids in 2022.

Under the plan, Türkiye would serve as COP31 summit president and host the main event, while Australia would take charge of negotiations and a pre-COP meeting would be held in the Pacific. Albanese described the arrangement as “a big win for both Australia and Türkiye” in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp Radio.

Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Wednesday that the compromise would meet Australia’s objectives, adding that “there’s a little way to go in these discussions.” Bowen said he would have “all the powers of COP presidency” for managing talks, appointing co-facilitators and preparing draft texts, including the cover decision.

The Turkish government did not immediately comment.

David Dutton, director of research at the Lowy Institute and formerly Australia’s assistant secretary of climate diplomacy, said the outcome eased the logistical and financial burden of hosting while offering “opportunities for Australia and the Pacific to do something with it.”

Australia has pitched its campaign as a “Pacific COP,” highlighting the vulnerability of low-lying island states to rising seas and other climate impacts. Canberra says it has already spent A$7 million (about $4.5 million) preparing its bid.

Türkiye has said it would use its summit to promote solidarity between rich and poorer nations, framing COP31 as having a global rather than regional focus. It plans to host the event in the Mediterranean city of Antalya.

Albanese earlier this week dismissed the option of co-hosting, citing UN rules. Türkiye had advocated such a model and discussed possible frameworks with Australia in September.

A source familiar with the talks said some confusion remained over whether the proposed split of negotiating and hosting roles was permissible under UN rules requiring a single country to lead, though the person declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak publicly.

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