Overview
- Turkish diplomatic sources say Ankara has formally offered a joint leadership arrangement with Australia to break the deadlock over hosting the 2026 UN climate summit.
- According to those sources, a letter from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected co-presidency, citing UN rules and concerns about shifting focus from Australia’s Pacific-centered agenda.
- Turkey says it is ready to host and preside alone if needed and frames its bid around inclusiveness and financing for developing countries, highlighting its 2053 net-zero goal and potential special sessions on Pacific issues.
- Australia maintains its candidacy with backing from the Pacific Islands Forum, claims “overwhelming support,” and has sent Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen to Belém, while a cabinet minister downplayed joint-leadership talk.
- The host must be agreed by consensus within the Western Europe and Others Group at COP30, Brazil is mediating with little reported progress before the Nov 21 close, and failure to agree would default COP31 to Bonn.