ANTALYA, Türkiye, has been officially designated as the host city for COP31, marking a significant milestone in global climate negotiations scheduled for 2026.
Following a formal agreement reached during COP30 in Belem, Brazil, Australia will take the lead as President of Negotiations, empowering the Pacific region to amplify its voice in the ongoing battle against climate change.
This unprecedented arrangement grants Australia exclusive authority over the negotiation process, enabling greater influence in shaping global climate policy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, in a joint statement, underscored the importance of this role, emphasising Australia’s commitment to advancing the interests of the Pacific nations while underscoring the existential threats posed by climate change to their communities.
A special pre-COP event will take place in the Pacific region leading up to the main conference, highlighting the immediate impacts of climate change in the region.
Under the terms of the agreement, Australia will also coordinate the action agenda for COP31, which will prominently feature a session dedicated to the climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States.
This initiative aims to galvanise global support for the Pacific Resilience Facility, a fund designed to bolster climate responses in vulnerable Pacific nations.
Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 is expected to exemplify robust international cooperation.
As host, Türkiye will be nominated to assume the role of COP President, collaborating closely with Australia to navigate the negotiation landscape.
Should any disagreements arise, both parties have committed to resolving them through consultation, ensuring a united front in tackling climate issues.
This collaboration reflects Australia’s renewed commitment to restoring its climate leadership, both domestically and internationally.
Australia and Türkiye will work together to identify additional champions for the action agenda for thematic priorities, including champions from Pacific island countries.
Öykü Şenlen, Senior Researcher, Global Clean Power Diplomacy, E3G, said COP31 provides Türkiye an opportunity to play a leading role in climate action in partnership with Australia.
“With its abundant renewable resources and institutional capacity, Türkiye is well-placed to build on its current NDC and demonstrate progress across the wider climate agenda.
“Acting as a bridge between East and West, Türkiye can help make COP31 a decisive moment for accelerating the clean energy transition, electrification, resilience and turning ambition into action.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Turkish COP31 presidency,” Şenlen said.
Natasha Green, Associate at E3G Australia, added: “While COP31 won’t be held in Adelaide, Australia’s role as COP31 President of the Negotiations and the Pacific’s role as host of pre-COP will bring critical attention and investment to the region, which is feeling the growing pressure of climate change, energy security concerns and building climate-resilient economies.”
“Asia–Pacific is expected to deliver around 47 per cent of the global growth in renewables needed to achieve the COP28 goal of tripling capacity by 2030, and COP31 must deliver the support, investment and political will to deliver on these goals, no matter where it is hosted.”