Turkiye will host next year’s COP summit under an unusual procedure, as Ankara will host the talks while Australia is likely to lead the negotiations.
Turkiye bagged the hosting rights for COP 31, while Australia reluctantly agreed to lead the Summit’s negotiations, ending a diplomatic standoff between the two nations over the presidency of the next year’s UN climate conference.
Both nations had bid to host the next COP summit, but Turkiye commanded greater support, therefore winning the hosting rights. Both countries are facing increasing climate-related challenges. Turkey's concerns come from increased shipping and greenhouse emissions contributing to the nation's overall increase in carbon footprint.
Australia’s low-lying areas are also facing mounting challenges due to the increase in sea levels as a result of the increase in global temperatures, posing a threat to millions in the country.
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Australia eventually compromised and agreed to a pre-COP event staged in the Pacific and to preside over the negotiations during COP31. Australia’s climate minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the event, saying, "Obviously, it would be great if Australia could have it all. But we can't have it all.”
"What we've come up with is a big win for both Australia and Turkiye," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Both sides refused to back down, leading to a tug of war in Belem. If neither of the two countries had conceded, COP 31 would have gone to Germany since it hosts the UN climate body’s offices.
Australia had pitched its bid as a “Pacific COP”, partnering with climate-vulnerable low-lying island nations and highlighting the threat of rising sea levels.
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