UN says COP31 host delay between Australia and Türkiye is disrupting summit preparations

The United Nation’s climate chief says a delay in choosing the host for next year’s COP31 summit is causing problems. It's after Australia and Türkiye submitted bids in 2022 to host the high-profile conference in 2026. Sydney said it's received the most votes.

Both countries have refused to concede to the other.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change warns that the delay is disrupting preparations for the global climate talks.

The impasse continues despite a UN deadline for a decision in June.

“A decision needs to be made very quickly,” said Stiell, during remarks at a Smart Energy Council event in Sydney on Monday (28 July).

“The two proponents need to come together and between themselves and within the group to make that decision. The delay in making that decision is unhelpful to the process.”

The selection of COP hosts rotates among five regional groups. For COP31, the host must be agreed upon by full consensus among the 28 members of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG).

The office of Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen referred to an interview where he said Australia’s bid had the backing of 23 out of 28 WEOG members.

Australia had also approached Türkiye multiple times to find a “win-win” solution, according to Bowen.

“We've got the votes. We could have all the votes in the world. If Türkiye is not going to withdraw, that's still a challenge,” Bowen told The Conversation Politics Podcast on Thursday.

Australia has proposed co-hosting the summit with Pacific nations and aims to highlight its progress on renewable energy. It had hoped to secure the bid during COP29 in Azerbaijan in 2024.

Türkiye remains in the race and has argued that its Mediterranean location could help reduce travel-related emissions. It has also pointed to its relatively smaller fossil fuel industry compared to Australia. Officials reaffirmed Türkiye’s position during climate talks in Bonn last month.

The UN said that the stalemate is now affecting planning for COP31, which requires large-scale logistical coordination and is expected to involve nearly 200 countries.

Copied