The COP31 climate meeting is now expected to be held in Turkey after Australia dropped its bid to host the annual event. Under the UN rules, the right to host the COP in 2026 falls to a group of countries made up of Western Europe, Australia and others. A consensus must be reached, but neither country had been willing to concede. Australia has now agreed to support the Turkish bid in return for their minister chairing the talks following negotiations at COP30, currently being held in Brazil. This unusual arrangement has taken observers by surprise; it is typical for a COP president to be from the host country, and how this new partnership will work in practice remains to be seen.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the compromise with Turkey an outstanding result in a recent interview, emphasizing the importance of Pacific issues. However, there was disappointment expressed by some Pacific leaders concerning the situation. Despite mixed feelings, this compromise alleviates pressure from COP30 participants in Brazil, as the lack of a venue agreement was causing embarrassment.
Australia's climate minister Chris Bowen revealed that if a deal hadn’t been reached, the meeting would have likely taken place in Bonn. The arrangement includes a pre-COP meeting on a Pacific island, while the main event is set to take place in Turkey with Bowen serving as president. This will involve navigating an unusual but necessary collaboration between Turkey and Australia to effectively lead the talks ahead of COP31.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the compromise with Turkey an outstanding result in a recent interview, emphasizing the importance of Pacific issues. However, there was disappointment expressed by some Pacific leaders concerning the situation. Despite mixed feelings, this compromise alleviates pressure from COP30 participants in Brazil, as the lack of a venue agreement was causing embarrassment.
Australia's climate minister Chris Bowen revealed that if a deal hadn’t been reached, the meeting would have likely taken place in Bonn. The arrangement includes a pre-COP meeting on a Pacific island, while the main event is set to take place in Turkey with Bowen serving as president. This will involve navigating an unusual but necessary collaboration between Turkey and Australia to effectively lead the talks ahead of COP31.
