Turkiye will host COP31 in Antalya after Australia agreed to step back and co-lead preparatory talks with Pacific island partners. The arrangement resolves a rare clash between two candidates from the same regional rotation group and gives Turkiye roughly 12 months to prepare the conference at the Antalya Expo Center. The decision drew criticism from Pacific leaders and Australian Greens over fossil fuel policies and COP effectiveness. Observers note both countries still rely on fossil fuels even as they expand renewables.
Turkiye to Host COP31 in Antalya as Australia Steps Back to Lead Pacific Preparations
Turkiye will host COP31 in Antalya after Australia agreed to step back and co-lead preparatory talks with Pacific island partners. The arrangement resolves a rare clash between two candidates from the same regional rotation group and gives Turkiye roughly 12 months to prepare the conference at the Antalya Expo Center. The decision drew criticism from Pacific leaders and Australian Greens over fossil fuel policies and COP effectiveness. Observers note both countries still rely on fossil fuels even as they expand renewables.
09:07 AM, 11/20/2025Environment
Turkiye will host the UN climate summit COP31 next year in Antalya after Australia agreed to step back from a competing bid and instead lead preparatory negotiations alongside Pacific island partners. The deal resolves a rare standoff between two candidates from the same regional rotation group and gives Turkiye roughly 12 months to organise the main conference at the Antalya Expo Center.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the arrangement as "a big win for both Australia and Turkiye," saying Canberra will support Pacific nations by hosting lead-up talks while Turkiye assumes the formal COP presidency and stages the main event.
Australia had campaigned to host COP31 as a "Pacific COP" to highlight the urgent threats facing low-lying island states from sea-level rise and climate-driven disasters. Turkiye resisted withdrawing its bid, arguing that—as an emerging economy—it would use the presidency to foster solidarity between wealthier and poorer countries and pursue a more global agenda than a purely regional summit.
The dispute exposed gaps in the procedures for allocating host duties when two countries from the same regional group submit competing bids. The presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP) traditionally rotates among five regions: Africa; Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Central and Eastern Europe; and Western Europe and Others. Both Australia and Turkiye fall within the "Western Europe and Others" grouping, meaning Australia will likely wait at least another five years before bidding again.
Reactions and criticism
Not all stakeholders welcomed the outcome. Papua New Guinea's foreign minister said Pacific leaders were "not happy and disappointed" with Australia's decision and questioned the effectiveness of COP meetings, calling them a "talk fest" that fails to hold major polluters to account. An Australian Greens senator linked the withdrawal to the government's continued approvals for coal and gas projects and warned that the choice underlines Australia's role in worsening the climate crisis.
International data show both Turkiye and Australia remain heavily reliant on coal, oil and gas for energy, although each country is expanding renewable power capacity. Australia had hoped to showcase renewable progress in Adelaide, South Australia, but plans were complicated by a significant toxic algal bloom that has persisted offshore for months—one of several marine impacts that experts associate with warming oceans.
With about a year to prepare, Turkiye faces the logistical and diplomatic task of assembling a global agenda, while Australia and Pacific partners must coordinate preparatory negotiations to ensure vulnerable island voices remain central to the 2026 talks.