Overview
- Australia says it has strong backing within the Western European and Others Group, while Türkiye has refused to withdraw its competing bid.
- Negotiators are discussing a compromise in which Australia would hold the presidency and some COP31 events would be staged in Türkiye, with Pacific ministers being consulted in Sydney.
- Several Pacific governments have voiced concerns that dividing the summit could dilute their influence on priorities Australia’s bid seeks to elevate.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned that without one side stepping aside, UN rules would send the conference to Bonn, with a decision expected at COP30 in Belém.
- The UNFCCC Secretariat has confirmed co-presidencies are not permitted, and some experts warn a split format could increase emissions from additional air travel even as precedents for multi-location support exist.