Australia Prioritizes Pacific Interests in COP31 Hosting Deadlock with Turkey
Australia will not obstruct Turkey’s bid to host next year’s COP31 climate summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has affirmed, emphasizing the need to prioritize the concerns of Pacific Island nations as negotiations reach a critical juncture. The decision comes as this year’s COP summit nears its conclusion in Brazil, with Australia’s own aspirations to host the 2026 event facing potential setbacks.
Albanese expressed Australia’s desire to secure the hosting rights, but conceded that allowing the event to default to Germany would be detrimental to global climate action. The complex process for determining the host nation relies on consensus, and current rules dictate the summit will be held in Bonn, Germany, if both Australia and Turkey remain contenders.
Speaking during a visit to Perth on Tuesday night, Albanese outlined potential concessions sought from Turkey, including a dedicated leaders’ meeting in the Pacific region and increased financial commitments to a fund designed to bolster climate change resilience in vulnerable nations. “The way that the system works is that if there is not agreement, and there’s more than one candidate, it goes to Bonn,” Albanese explained. “There is considerable concern, not just from the Pacific, but internationally as well, that that will not send a good signal about the unity that’s needed for the world to act on climate.” He further stated that Australia would not veto Turkey’s bid should it be selected.
However, a government spokesperson later clarified that Australia remains actively engaged in the race, emphasizing that Turkey has not yet been formally chosen as host and that Australia enjoys substantial support from other nations. “Turkey shouldn’t block us, just as we wouldn’t block them if the situation were reversed,” the spokesperson said. “But of course we will continue to negotiate with Turkey in good faith for an outcome in the best interests of the Pacific and our national interest.”
Australia currently holds at least 23 votes within the key Western European and Others group – the bloc currently designated to host the summit. Despite this support, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has so far resisted calls to withdraw or compromise on his nation’s hosting ambitions.
Reports from September, as revealed by Guardian Australia, indicated Turkey was exploring “innovative solutions” to the impasse, suggesting a potential for shared benefits through prolonged negotiations. However, this proposal was not embraced by Albanese or Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Bowen has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts with Ankara, including direct appeals to Turkey’s First Lady, Emine Erdoğan, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. A dedicated environmental advocate, Emine Erdoğan is believed to be a key influence in her husband’s determination to host the summit in Antalya, the city that hosted the 2015 G20 summit.
Bowen, currently representing Australia in Brazil, reiterated the nation’s preference for hosting the event in Adelaide, in collaboration with Pacific countries. “In hosting COP31, we want to bring the world to our region to see the impacts of climate change and bring the world’s best innovators and businesses to invest in solutions,” he said.
The projected cost of hosting COP31 exceeds $1 billion, and the proposal has reportedly faced internal debate within the Australian federal cabinet. Albanese is expected to potentially engage in discussions with Erdoğan on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa next week, offering a further opportunity to resolve the deadlock.
