Turkey is set to host the COP31 United Nations climate summit in 2026 after reaching a compromise with Australia, which will see Australia’s climate minister chair the negotiations while the event is held in Antalya. This resolution, reached during the COP30 talks in Belém, Brazil, ends a standoff that had threatened to derail planning for next year’s critical climate conference.
The agreement specifies that Turkey will organize the summit in the resort city of Antalya, while Australia’s Climate Minister Chris Bowen will assume the role of COP president, responsible for managing negotiations and drafting decisions. This division of roles is unprecedented in COP history, as the presidency has always been held by the host country, raising questions about coordination and authority. The compromise emerged after intense discussions at COP30, where both nations initially refused to concede, risking the summit’s relocation to Bonn, Germany, the UN climate body’s headquarters.
Australia had vigorously campaigned to host COP31 in Adelaide, positioning it as a joint effort with Pacific island nations to highlight their vulnerability to rising sea levels and climate impacts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese argued that this would keep Pacific issues ‘front and centre,’ but Turkey, which withdrew its bid in 2021 to allow the UK to host COP26, felt entitled to the 2026 slot under UN regional rotation rules. The impasse had become an embarrassment for the UN, underscoring the challenges of consensus in multilateral climate diplomacy.
Reactions to the deal have been mixed. Albanese praised it as an ‘outstanding result,’ emphasizing the benefits of avoiding a leadership vacuum. However, Pacific leaders expressed disappointment; Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko stated they were ‘not happy’ with the outcome, and Solomon Islands leader Jeremiah Manele had earlier voiced concerns about Australia not securing the event. This highlights regional tensions over representation and the perceived sidelining of vulnerable nations in climate governance.
Under the compromise, pre-COP meetings will be held on a Pacific island, addressing some inclusion concerns, while the main event proceeds in Turkey. Minister Bowen confirmed he will have full presidential powers, including appointing facilitators and issuing cover decisions, with Turkey handling logistical aspects like venue organization and schedules. He noted that consensus was essential to prevent a year without leadership, which would be ‘irresponsible for multilateralism’ in the current challenging environmental context.
The deal is expected to be formally ratified by over 190 countries at COP30, with little opposition anticipated given the relief over resolving the conflict. This innovative arrangement may set a precedent for future COPs, demonstrating flexibility in host selection processes while ensuring continuity in global climate efforts. It also reflects the growing complexity of climate negotiations, where geopolitical interests and regional claims must be balanced against urgent environmental needs.
Looking ahead, the split presidency will be closely watched for its effectiveness in managing the summit’s ambitious agenda, including emissions reductions and climate finance. The compromise allows both countries to save face while moving forward, but its practical implementation will test the resilience of UN climate frameworks. As nations gather in Belém, the focus shifts to leveraging this agreement to accelerate action on climate change, with COP31 poised to be a pivotal moment in the global response.
