Under UN regional rotation rules, the right to host COP31 fell to the "Western Europe and Others Group," which includes Australia and Turkey. But neither government had been willing to step aside — until last-minute negotiations in Belém, Brazil, delivered a face-saving solution for both.
Australia has now withdrawn its bid in favour of Turkey's proposal to hold the summit in Antalya. In exchange, Australia's climate minister, Chris Bowen, will assume the presidency of COP31 — a major departure from tradition, in which the host country's minister leads the talks.
The arrangement has left many observers stunned. While it satisfies the UN's need for consensus, it raises practical questions about how responsibilities will be shared between Ankara and Canberra.
Pacific concerns and diplomatic frustration
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the compromise as an "outstanding result," insisting that Bowen's presidency ensures Pacific concerns remain "front and centre." Canberra had strongly pushed to host the summit in Adelaide alongside Pacific island nations, among the most vulnerable to sea-level rise and climate impacts.
But the deal has not pleased all Pacific leaders. Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told AFP that regional states were "not happy" and "disappointed" with the outcome. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele earlier said he would be "disappointed" if Australia did not secure the summit.
Despite the frustration, many delegations at COP30 expressed relief that the stalemate — seen as increasingly embarrassing for the UN — has finally been resolved.
Why Turkey pressed its claim
Turkey argued it had a strong entitlement to host COP31 after stepping aside in 2021 when the UK hosted COP26 in Glasgow. Ankara's proposal for Antalya is now expected to be endorsed by more than 190 countries, barring any last-minute objections.
Had the impasse continued, COP31 would have defaulted to Bonn, Germany, home of the UNFCCC Secretariat — an outcome many negotiators feared would leave the process without strong political leadership for a full year.
How the partnership will work
Under the compromise, a pre-COP gathering will take place on a Pacific island, symbolising the region's central role in climate diplomacy, while the main negotiations will unfold in Turkey. Bowen insists the arrangement will not diminish his authority as COP president.
"As COP president, I will have all the powers to guide negotiations, appoint facilitators, prepare draft texts and deliver the final cover decision," Bowen told reporters in Belém. Turkey, meanwhile, will appoint an official responsible for managing the venue, logistics and scheduling.
Australian officials admit the concession is politically uncomfortable after months of intense diplomatic campaigning. But Bowen argued that forcing the decision to Bonn — the automatic fallback if consensus failed — would have left the global process leaderless.
"That would mean 12 months with no COP president and no plan. That would be irresponsible in this challenging moment," he said.
Next steps
The deal will now be formally presented for approval by national delegations before COP30 concludes. Given the difficulty of brokering the compromise and the widespread desire to avoid further delay, diplomats say objections are unlikely.
If endorsed, Turkey will host one of the most consequential COPs in recent memory — with an Australian minister steering the negotiations.