What's happened
On November 22, 2025, Australia and Turkey resolved a multi-year dispute over hosting the 2026 UN climate summit, COP31. Turkey will host the summit in Antalya, while Australia will preside over negotiations and lead pre-COP events focused on Pacific climate financing. The deal ends a deadlock that risked defaulting the summit to Germany and drew criticism from Pacific nations.
What's behind the headline?
Diplomatic Compromise Amidst Climate Urgency
The resolution of the COP31 hosting deadlock between Australia and Turkey reflects a pragmatic diplomatic compromise rather than a clear victory for either side. Turkey securing the physical hosting rights in Antalya allows it to showcase its emerging economy's climate ambitions, despite criticism of its climate pledges. Meanwhile, Australia’s leadership of the negotiations and pre-COP events, especially those focused on the Pacific, ensures that vulnerable island nations retain a significant voice in the summit’s agenda.
Underlying Tensions and Regional Stakes
The dispute exposed deeper geopolitical and environmental tensions. Pacific island nations, facing existential threats from rising seas, viewed Australia's bid as a chance to elevate their concerns on the global stage. Their disappointment at not hosting the summit underscores ongoing frustrations with COP processes perceived as marginalizing vulnerable voices.
Implications for Climate Diplomacy
With only 12 months to prepare, Turkey faces logistical challenges in organizing the summit, potentially impacting the effectiveness of diplomatic groundwork. Australia's role in negotiations offers an opportunity to steer discussions toward climate financing and adaptation, particularly for fragile regions. However, skepticism remains about COP’s ability to hold major polluters accountable, as voiced by Pacific leaders and Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister.
Forecast
This arrangement will likely set a precedent for future COP hosting disputes, emphasizing shared responsibilities. The success of COP31 will hinge on Turkey’s organizational capacity and Australia’s diplomatic leadership, with Pacific nations watching closely for tangible outcomes addressing their climate vulnerabilities.
What the papers say
Reuters reported on November 22 that "Formal agreement has been reached for COP31 to be hosted by Turkey in Antalya, with the Pacific’s interests advanced by Australia assuming the role of President of Negotiations" (Reuters, 22 Nov). Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the deal as a "big win for both Australia and Turkey" (Reuters, 20 Nov). However, Pacific nations expressed disappointment; Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko called COP a "talk fest" that "doesn't hold the big polluters accountable" (The Guardian, 20 Nov). The New Arab highlighted Turkey's commitment to a "fair and balanced conference focusing on fragile regions such as the Pacific and Africa" (The New Arab, 23 Nov). Al Jazeera noted Australia's withdrawal from hosting was influenced by Turkey's refusal to back down and the complexities of UN rules prohibiting co-hosting (Al Jazeera, 20 Nov). These contrasting perspectives reveal the diplomatic balancing act between geopolitical interests and the urgent climate needs of vulnerable regions.
How we got here
Australia and Turkey both bid in 2022 to host COP31, the UN's annual climate summit. Neither withdrew, causing a deadlock within the Western Europe and Others Group, which must unanimously agree on the host. Australia sought to co-host with Pacific island nations to highlight their climate risks, while Turkey emphasized a global focus and solidarity between rich and poor countries.
Go deeper
- Why did Australia and Turkey both want to host COP31?
- What are the concerns of Pacific island nations about the COP31 hosting decision?
- How will the shared hosting arrangement affect the COP31 summit outcomes?
Common question
-
Why Are Australia and Turkey Fighting to Host COP31?
The race to host COP31 has become more than just a bidding process — it's now a diplomatic showdown. Australia and Turkey are competing fiercely, each with their own reasons and interests. This dispute could have serious implications for global climate negotiations. Below, we explore the key questions about this contentious bid and what it means for the future of climate action.
-
Why Are Australia and Turkey Fighting Over Hosting COP31?
The dispute between Australia and Turkey over hosting COP31 has become a major obstacle in global climate efforts. Both countries submitted bids to host the summit, but disagreements over funding, regional priorities, and diplomatic strategies have stalled progress since 2022. This deadlock raises questions about the future of the climate summit and its impact worldwide. Below, we explore the key issues behind this dispute and what it means for global climate action.
-
Why is COP31 important for climate change?
COP31 is a crucial upcoming climate summit that could shape global efforts to combat climate change. However, ongoing disputes over its hosting have raised concerns about delays and the effectiveness of international climate policies. Understanding why COP31 matters, who is involved, and what the delays mean can help you grasp the bigger picture of global climate action. Below, we explore key questions about COP31 and its significance.
-
What are the main disagreements over COP31 funding and priorities?
The ongoing dispute over COP31 hosting highlights deep disagreements between countries over funding and priorities. Australia and Turkey remain deadlocked, with their conflicting goals threatening to delay the climate summit. Understanding these disagreements is key to grasping the future of global climate negotiations and what they mean for climate action worldwide. Below, we explore the main issues fueling this standoff and what it could mean moving forward.
-
What happens if COP31 is delayed or canceled?
The ongoing dispute between Australia and Turkey over hosting COP31 has raised concerns about potential delays or cancellations of the climate summit. Such disruptions could impact global efforts to combat climate change, leaving many wondering what the consequences might be. In this article, we explore what could happen if COP31 doesn't proceed as planned, including the risks, impacts, and alternative options that might come into play.
-
What does the COP31 dispute reveal about global climate politics?
The ongoing deadlock between Australia and Turkey over hosting COP31 highlights deeper issues in international climate diplomacy. This dispute raises questions about how countries negotiate climate leadership, regional interests, and global cooperation. Understanding this conflict can shed light on the challenges facing future climate summits and the lessons learned from diplomatic deadlocks. Below, we explore key questions about the COP31 dispute and its implications for global climate efforts.
-
What are the next steps in resolving the COP31 deadlock?
The ongoing dispute between Australia and Turkey over hosting COP31 has created a significant deadlock in international climate negotiations. With both countries holding firm positions and no clear resolution in sight, many are wondering what the future holds. In this page, we explore the efforts underway to break the deadlock, the potential role of new negotiations, and when we might see a breakthrough. Keep reading to understand the current situation and what could happen next in this critical climate summit process.
-
Why Are Countries Fighting Over the 2026 Climate Conference?
The upcoming 2026 UN climate conference, COP31, is facing a diplomatic deadlock as Australia and Turkey clash over who should host. This dispute raises questions about the impact on global climate policies and what might happen if no host is chosen. Below, we explore the key issues behind this standoff and what it means for the future of international climate efforts.
-
Why Did Australia and Turkey Share Hosting of COP31?
The decision for Australia and Turkey to jointly host COP31 marks a significant shift in climate diplomacy. This unusual arrangement raises questions about regional influence, global cooperation, and the future of climate negotiations. Why did these two countries share hosting duties, and what does it mean for the future of international climate efforts? Below, we explore the key reasons behind this decision and what it could mean for global climate action.
-
What Are the Key Takeaways from Today’s Top News Stories?
Today’s headlines cover a wide range of critical issues, from climate diplomacy and labor strikes to international peace efforts and environmental crises. Curious about how these stories connect and what they mean for the world? Below, we explore the most pressing questions and provide clear answers to help you stay informed and understand the bigger picture.
More on these topics
-
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
-
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
-
Anthony Norman Albanese ( AL-bə-NEE-zee or AL-bə-neez; born 2 March 1963) is an Australian politician who has served as the 31st prime minister of Australia since 2022. He has been the leader of the Labor Party since 2019 and the member of parliament.
-
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At 8.5 million square kilometers and with over 211 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the sixth most
-
A conference of the parties is the supreme governing body of an international convention. It is composed by a representative of all Parties and accredited observers.
-
Christopher Eyles Guy Bowen is an Australian politician serving as Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy since January 2021, and has served as Member of Parliament for McMahon since 2010.
-
The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean, including formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations.
-
Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a sovereign state in Oceania that occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and its offshore islands in Melanesia, a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean north of A
-
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a Turkish politician serving as the 12th and current President of Turkey. He previously served as Prime Minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014 and as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998.
-
Johannesburg, informally known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa and one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world.