Australia steps back from its bid
Turkey now appears set to host COP31 after Australia withdrew its offer. UN rules give hosting rights for 2026 to a group including Western Europe, Australia and others. Both sides refused to yield for months. Australia now supports Turkey after talks at COP30 in Brazil. In return, Australia’s minister will chair the negotiations. Observers express surprise because host nations usually hold the presidency. Experts now wait to see how this partnership works in practice.
Mixed reactions across the Pacific
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the deal an “outstanding result” in an interview with Australia’s public broadcaster. He says Pacific concerns will stay “front and centre”. He notes talks with leaders from Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister says many countries feel unhappy and disappointed. The Solomon Islands leader had warned he would feel “disappointed” if Australia failed to secure the event. Delegates at COP30 in Belém welcome the deal because the delay embarrassed the UN.
Why both nations wanted COP31
Australia pushed hard for Adelaide and planned to co-host with Pacific nations facing severe climate threats. Turkey proposed Antalya and argued it stepped aside in 2021 to let the UK host in Glasgow. Without a deal, COP31 would move to Bonn, home of the UN climate body. Talks in Belém created a compromise. A pre-COP will take place on a Pacific island. Turkey will host the main event. Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen will lead the negotiations.
Bowen outlines his authority
Bowen says Australia cannot “have it all”, but the deal preserves leadership. He warns that failure would leave COP31 without a president for months. He says he will hold full presidential powers. These include steering talks, naming facilitators, drafting texts and shaping the final decision. He also confirms to a British news outlet that Turkey will appoint a venue president to manage logistics and schedules.
Political impact and next steps
The concession creates discomfort for Prime Minister Albanese after heavy lobbying in the Western Europe group. More than 190 countries at COP30 must now ratify the deal. Delegates expect no objections after the long road to compromise.
