The annual UN climate talks, COP31 in 2026, are now expected to be held in Antalya, Turkey, following an unusual compromise deal reached with rival bidder Australia during the ongoing COP30 meeting in Brazil.
The agreement resolves a persistent standoff between the two countries, which both belong to the Western Europe and Others Group whose turn it was to host, thereby avoiding a diplomatic embarrassment and the default option of holding the summit in Bonn, Germany.
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Under the terms of the unprecedented arrangement, Turkey will host the main conference in Antalya, managing the venue, organization, and scheduling. However, Australia will assume the COP Presidency for negotiations, with Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen set to chair the talks. Bowen stated this role gives him all the powers necessary to manage negotiations, appoint facilitators, and issue the draft text.
#COP31 is now expected to be held in Turkey after Australia dropped its bid to host the event, in return for its minister chairing the talks.
Choosing a host shouldn’t be a saga. The decision should be made based on their commitment to #ClimateJustice, science & #HumanRights.
A🧵 pic.twitter.com/qTGlBYSQQq— Center for International Environmental Law (@ciel_tweets) November 20, 2025
Furthermore, a pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, serving as a pledging event for a Pacific Resilience Facility to keep the focus on nations most vulnerable to climate change. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the compromise an “outstanding result,” despite the country’s extensive campaign to co-host the event with Pacific island states in Adelaide. While the decision drew disappointment from countries like Papua New Guinea, the arrangement must still be ratified by the more than 190 countries gathered at COP30, though objections are considered unlikely given the effort to reach consensus.
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