AUSTRALIA: Turkey is all set to host the COP31 climate summit following a diplomatic compromise that saw Australia drop its bid to host the annual event.
The right to host the COP in 2026 falls to a group of countries known as the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).
However, an agreement must be reached, but neither country has been willing to acknowledge the need for compromise.
Keeping in view the negotiations at COP30, Australia has now agreed to support the Turkish bid in return for their minister presiding over the talks, held in Brazil at this time.
Observers have been surprised by the current development. It is normal for a president to be from the host country, and how this new partnership will work in practice remains to be observed.
In this connection, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussed the compromise with Turkey in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation, noting peaceful matters would be “front and center.”
Australia has pushed hard to have the climate summit in the city of Adelaide, arguing that they would co-host the meeting with Pacific Island states that are seen as the most susceptible to climate and rising sea levels.
Turkey, which has suggested hosting COP31 in the city of Antalya, received confirmation to be the host country, a move they felt justified since they stood aside in 2021 and allowed the UK to schedule the meeting in Glasgow.
The end result of discussions at COP30 showed that a compromise appears to have been reached.
However, this includes a pre-COP meeting which is specifically to be held on a Pacific island, while the main event is scheduled in Turkey.
It is asserted that Mr Bowen being a COP President not from the host country will work and that he will have the significant authority reserved for the president of these gatherings.
He further explained, “As COP president of negotiations, I would have all the powers of the COP presidency to manage, to handle the negotiations, to appoint co-facilitators, and to issue the cover decision.”
Australia’s backdown will be disgraceful for the government of Mr Albanese, after exerting pressure and working hard to win the support from the other nations in the Western Europe group.
The compromise will have to be authorized by more than 190 countries gathered here for COP30.
Turkey will host the summit, and given the difficulties in getting to this compromise, Australia will take the lead role in the actual negotiations without any objections.
