Search

Search

Australia and Turkey Lock Horns Over 2026 UN Climate Summit Hosting Rights

Australia and Turkey are in a diplomatic standoff over hosting the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), with neither nation willing to relinquish their bid. The issue has become a focal point at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, as both countries vie for the prestige and influence that come with organizing the summit.

Competing Narratives

Australia's Case

  • Pacific Advocacy: Australia has positioned its bid as a "Pacific COP," aiming to spotlight the unique climate challenges faced by Pacific Island nations, including rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
  • Energy Transition: Despite being one of the largest exporters of fossil fuels, Australia is promoting its shift toward renewable energy. Climate Minister Chris Bowen emphasized that hosting the summit would highlight the country's commitment to this transition.
  • Support: Australia has garnered public endorsements from key nations within the Western Europe and Others regional group, including Germany, Canada, and Britain. Pacific leaders have also expressed conditional support, urging Australia to accelerate its move away from fossil fuels.

Turkey's Argument

  • Strategic Location: Turkey has emphasized its Mediterranean location, which would reduce emissions from international flights bringing delegates.
  • Smaller Fossil Fuel Footprint: Turkish officials have argued that their nation's relatively smaller oil and gas industry makes it a more suitable host than Australia. Deputy Environment Minister Fatma Varank highlighted Turkey's role as Europe's second-largest producer of coal-fired electricity but downplayed its fossil fuel dependency.
  • Reluctance to Withdraw: After stepping aside to allow the UK to host COP26 in 2021, Turkey is unwilling to concede again.

The Stakes

Hosting COP31 would grant the winning country a central role in shaping global climate negotiations, offering diplomatic prestige and a platform to showcase green initiatives. However, critics argue that countries heavily reliant on fossil fuels may struggle to serve as impartial facilitators of climate talks.

Regional Group Dynamics

Both countries belong to the UN's Western Europe and Others regional group, where a unanimous decision is required to select the host. While Australia has received public backing from several members, Turkey has not disclosed which nations support its bid.

Key Voices

  • Pacific Nations: Fiji's climate secretary, Sivendra Michael, voiced cautious support for Australia, urging it to align national policies with its hosting ambitions.
  • Turkey: Fatma Varank underscored Turkey's commitment to providing an accessible and environmentally conscious summit, leveraging its geographical advantage.

Next Steps

With no fixed deadline, the decision may take months, potentially delaying preparations. Observers note that while both bids have merit, the ultimate choice will reflect the global community's priorities—whether they favor symbolic leadership from Australia's transition narrative or Turkey's strategic, emissions-conscious location.