Turkey Set to Host COP31 in 2026 After Compromise With Australia

Turkey is poised to host the pivotal United Nations COP31 climate summit in 2026, ending a prolonged and intense bidding contest with Australia that had threatened to overshadow the ongoing COP30 negotiations in Brazil. Diplomatic sources confirmed on Thursday that a carefully crafted compromise is being finalised, under which Turkey will assume the formal presidency of the conference while Australia will lead the critical intergovernmental negotiations.

The breakthrough arrangement emerged after both countries steadfastly maintained their 2022 bids, refusing to withdraw despite mounting pressure for resolution. The compromise allocates Turkey the prestigious role of summit host and president, satisfying its long-standing ambition to showcase leadership on the global stage, while granting Australia substantial influence over the substantive talks that shape the final outcomes of the annual Conference of the Parties.

Additional elements of the emerging agreement include the scheduling of a major pre-COP preparatory meeting in the Pacific region, a concession that acknowledges Australia’s strategic priority to amplify the voice of vulnerable island nations. Negotiations remained active through Thursday at the COP30 venue in Belém, with delegates working to formalise the arrangement before the conference concludes.

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The resolution marks a significant diplomatic achievement for the UNFCCC process, preventing a potentially divisive vote among member states and ensuring continuity in the critical series of summits tasked with accelerating global climate action. Neither the Australian nor Turkish delegations issued immediate official confirmation, though sources described the deal as effectively concluded.

With COP31 now set to take place on Turkish soil under a shared leadership structure, attention will shift to how the two nations collaborate to deliver ambitious outcomes on mitigation, adaptation finance, and the operationalisation of the loss and damage fund established at previous conferences.

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