Turkey and Australia Finalize Compromise to Share Hosting Roles for COP31 Summit

Ankara – Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan praised a newly reached agreement with Australia on hosting next year’s major U.N. climate summit, describing the deal as a meaningful step that restores confidence in multilateral cooperation.

The arrangement ends a long-running impasse between the two nations and sets the stage for a collaborative approach to the global climate agenda.

Under the agreement, Turkey will host the COP31 summit in 2026 while Australia will lead the negotiation process and steer the overall direction of discussions.

Both countries had submitted bids to host the summit in 2022 and maintained firm positions since then, resulting in a prolonged standoff that left planning efforts at a standstill.

Erdogan expressed appreciation for the compromise during an event on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, highlighting the importance of cooperative diplomacy at a time when multilateral efforts have struggled.

He emphasized that the deal demonstrates the value of shared responsibility in advancing climate action and supporting international dialogue.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the agreement, noting that Australia will hold exclusive authority over the negotiation track during the summit.

He said the arrangement will allow Australia to help shape key decisions while ensuring that the Pacific region remains a core focus of global climate discussions.

In a statement, Albanese confirmed that a special pre-COP meeting would be hosted in the Pacific region to draw attention to the urgent climate threats faced by small island states.

Eighteen Pacific Island nations had backed Australia’s initial bid, citing rising sea levels and environmental vulnerabilities that demand sustained global action.

The agreement was also celebrated by Turkish officials, many of whom had worked extensively in recent years to secure hosting rights for the summit.

Turkey’s minister of environment, urbanisation and climate change, Murat Kurum, described the outcome as the result of extensive diplomatic efforts, including numerous meetings and international consultations.

Kurum stressed that Turkey is committed to organizing a fair, balanced, and inclusive conference that highlights the needs of fragile regions as well as global priorities.

He said Turkey aims to bridge perspectives between the Global North and Global South, ensuring that the summit reflects the concerns of all communities affected by climate change.

The minister noted that Turkey’s hosting responsibilities will be complemented by Australia’s leadership in negotiations, creating a hybrid model designed to bring diverse viewpoints into the decision-making process.

He underscored that the summit would focus on climate resilience, mitigation efforts, and enhanced cooperation between countries facing shared environmental challenges.

The annual COP gatherings serve as the world’s central forum for advancing climate commitments, assessing global progress, and strengthening international cooperation.

With the upcoming summit set to follow COP30, expectations are high that COP31 will address longstanding issues including financing, adaptation, and implementation gaps.

Officials from both Turkey and Australia have expressed confidence that this cooperative approach will set a constructive tone for the summit and provide a roadmap for coordinated climate responses.

They emphasized that the agreement reflects a larger need for unity at a time when climate impacts are accelerating and global solutions require broad participation.

As preparations move forward, both nations are expected to coordinate closely to ensure that logistical planning, diplomatic outreach, and technical negotiations are aligned.

Stakeholders across regions, including vulnerable Pacific and African nations, are anticipated to play an active role in shaping the summit’s outcomes.

The compromise is widely viewed as a significant diplomatic achievement, offering a model for shared leadership that bridges regional interests and supports global environmental goals.

Observers say the agreement helps reassert confidence in multilateral cooperation and demonstrates that effective climate diplomacy can be achieved through partnership and mutual respect.