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Turkey to Host COP31 in 2026 as Australia Takes Exclusive Lead of Talks

The compromise ends a prolonged contest between the two countries over the summit’s venue.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a plenary session on the opening day of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/Pool
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a plenary session on the opening day of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/Pool

Overview

  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a formal agreement confirms Turkey as host in Antalya with Australia serving as President of Negotiations with exclusive authority.
  • The Pacific region will hold a pre-COP meeting to spotlight island nations’ existential climate risks, according to Australia’s statement.
  • A statement from Germany at COP30, following a Western Europe and Others Group meeting, set out the arrangement with Turkey hosting and Australia steering the negotiation process.
  • President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the deal meaningful for multilateralism during remarks at the G20 gathering in Johannesburg.
  • Turkey’s environment minister Murat Kurum celebrated the outcome and pledged a fair, balanced conference attentive to vulnerable regions including the Pacific and Africa, while the Pacific Islands Forum had earlier backed Australia’s bid.