Turkey has been selected to host the COP31 United Nations climate summit in 2026, following a compromise agreement with Australia that will see the Australian climate minister chair the negotiations. The deal was reached during the COP30 conference currently underway in Belém, Brazil, putting an end to a prolonged stalemate between the two nations over hosting rights for the critical global event.
Under the terms of the compromise, Turkey will host the main summit in the coastal city of Antalya, while Australia’s Climate Minister Chris Bowen will assume the role of COP president, responsible for leading the intergovernmental negotiations. This arrangement is unprecedented in the history of the climate conferences, as the presidency has traditionally been held by a representative of the host country. The innovative solution emerged after both countries refused to back down from their bids, which were submitted in 2022, and it was finalized during discussions at COP30 to avoid the summit defaulting to Bonn, Germany.
The deadlock had become a source of embarrassment for the United Nations framework, with Australia pushing to host in Adelaide and co-host with Pacific island nations, while Turkey argued it had a strong claim after stepping aside in 2021 for the UK to host COP26. Australia’s bid emphasized the vulnerability of Pacific states to climate change, but Turkey’s proposal for Antalya gained traction, leading to the need for a consensus to prevent delays in planning and leadership for the 2026 talks.
Reactions to the compromise have been mixed, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it an “outstanding result” and highlighting that Pacific issues would be central to the negotiations. However, some Pacific leaders expressed disappointment; Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko stated they were “not happy” with the outcome, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele had earlier indicated he would be “disappointed” if Australia did not secure the hosting role, reflecting concerns over regional representation.
Minister Bowen acknowledged the unusual nature of the arrangement but expressed confidence in its workability, noting that it prevents a scenario where no COP president is in place for months, which could undermine multilateral efforts. He confirmed he will have full presidential powers, including appointing co-facilitators and preparing draft texts, while Turkey will handle logistical aspects like venue organization and meeting schedules, ensuring a division of responsibilities that aims to streamline the summit’s operations.
As part of the agreement, a pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, addressing some of the concerns raised by Australia’s Pacific partners and ensuring that the voices of vulnerable nations are heard in the lead-up to the main event. This gesture helps balance the interests of both regions and underscores the global nature of climate diplomacy, with the compromise now awaiting formal ratification by the over 190 countries at COP30, where objections are considered unlikely given the difficulty in reaching this point.
The resolution allows the international community to focus on substantive climate negotiations, with COP31 set to be a pivotal moment in global efforts to address climate change. The unique co-leadership model between Turkey and Australia will be closely watched, as its success or failure could influence future climate summits, especially in scenarios where consensus is challenging to achieve, highlighting the evolving dynamics of international environmental governance.
