Turkiye will host the COP31 climate summit in Antalya next year after Australia conceded its bid to lead the UN climate meeting.
The decision comes as part of an agreement in which Australia will host pre-summit negotiations with Pacific Island nations, while Turkiye assumes the presidency of the main event.
Both Turkiye and Australia stood firm in their bids to host COP31, sparking a tense standoff in Belem. Had neither country conceded, the summit would have defaulted to Germany, home of the UN climate body’s offices.
Australia had promoted its bid as a “Pacific COP,” highlighting partnerships with climate-vulnerable, low-lying island nations and emphasizing the growing threat of rising sea levels, dw,.com reports.
Turkiye, on the other hand, proposed hosting a summit focused on global solidarity between developed and emerging economies, offering a broader perspective beyond the regional Pacific focus.
The deadlock-breaking meeting was chaired by German State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth, who described the co-hosting compromise as “innovative” and reported no objections to the plan.
Under the unusual resolution, Turkiye will now host the 200-nation summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, while Australia will take charge of leading the preparatory negotiations with participating nations. The arrangement allows both countries to play significant roles in shaping COP31 despite the initial competition.
Turkish officials emphasized that the summit will highlight solidarity between developed and emerging economies, with a global focus rather than a regional one.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the arrangement as “a big win for both Australia and Turkiye.”
COP31 will continue the ongoing global effort to tackle climate change, with countries aiming to balance energy needs, environmental responsibility, and economic growth. Both Turkiye and Australia, while reliant on fossil fuels, are also investing in renewable energy, and COP31 is expected to spotlight sustainable solutions on a global stage.
