Turkey Hails Deal with Australia Over COP31 Hosting

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday welcomed the agreement reached with Australia over the hosting and leadership structure of the COP31 climate summit, calling it a clear and practical resolution to months of negotiations.

Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Erdoğan said the arrangement demonstrates that coordination between countries is still possible despite global political strains. Under the deal, Turkey will host COP31 in 2026, while Australia will take charge of steering the climate negotiations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia will have full authority over the negotiation process. He said the partnership allows both countries to contribute according to their strengths and ensures continuity in the climate agenda.
 

• Turkey and Australia strike a deal on COP31 hosting and leadership, ending months of dispute
• Erdoğan and Albanese confirm a shared structure where Turkey hosts and Australia leads negotiations
• Agreement includes a Pacific pre-COP meeting to spotlight island nations facing rising climate threats

As part of the agreement, the Pacific region will host a dedicated pre-COP meeting, focusing on the growing climate threats to island nations. Leaders from the region have repeatedly stressed the need for stronger commitments from major economies as rising sea levels and extreme weather accelerate.

Turkey’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum said the outcome followed extensive diplomatic efforts, including bilateral talks and climate-focused visits to several countries. He stated that Turkey would organise a balanced and inclusive COP, with attention to vulnerable regions such as the Pacific and Africa.

The final arrangement allows both sides to avoid a prolonged dispute that had held up planning for the next round of U.N. climate talks. It also gives the Pacific nations a dedicated platform within the COP process, addressing long-standing concerns that their priorities receive insufficient attention.

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Climate summits bring together governments, experts and civil society to negotiate emissions targets, financing mechanisms and adaptation strategies. The Turkey-Australia agreement is expected to stabilise preparations and provide clarity on responsibilities ahead of the 2026 gathering.