Formal agreement has been reached for COP31 to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, with the Pacific's interests advanced by Australia assuming the role of President of Negotiations in the lead up to and at the meeting.
Australia will have "exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations", to shape and guide global decision making in support of the multilateral system and global trade and investment in clean energy industries.
The Pacific will host a special pre-COP for leaders and others, bringing attention to the existential threat climate change poses to the region.
This will give Australia and the Pacific unprecedented influence over multilateral deliberations and actions of the global community in 2026.
We are proud to work with Türkiye, a country with whom we share a long history, to take forward COP31 in 2026.
Australia and the Pacific, led by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, worked hard to negotiate a deal that not only highlights the existential threat of climate change in our region but also strengthens international action.
Under this COP model we will demonstrate that the shared challenge of climate change, is also the world's shared economic opportunity.
Under the agreement, reached at COP30 in Belem, Brazil:
- Australia will be the President of Negotiations, with "exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations", from the end of COP30 this week until the end of COP31. This will give Australia and the Pacific unprecedented influence in global climate negotiations. Minister Bowen will fulfil this role.
- Australia will select ministerial and other co-facilitators for negotiations and identify additional champions with Türkiye for the action agenda and thematic priorities, including from the Pacific.
- Australia, in partnership with the Pacific, will set the agenda for and preside over a special Pre-COP for leaders and others in the Pacific in 2026, giving the world an opportunity to see Pacific climate impacts and solutions firsthand.
- The action agenda will be strengthened and elevated, and include a session at COP31 focused on climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States, providing a platform for world leaders and others to make commitments to the Pacific Resilience Facility - a Pacific-led fund to support Pacific climate responses.
- Türkiye will physically host the COP31 conference and World Leaders Summit in Antalya - a moment to demonstrate true, practical global cooperation.
- Türkiye will be nominated to be elected as the COP President.
Australia respects the United Nations Framework Convention consensus rules - and we negotiated with Türkiye in good faith for an outcome that delivers for the interests of the Pacific and our nation.
This will give our Pacific family the global stage they have always deserved.
Since May 2022, we have been restoring Australia's climate leadership at home and abroad.
We have restored Australia's relationship with the Pacific, and proven we are a reliable, trustworthy partner - willing to work with partners on difficult challenges.
Our region is at the frontline of the climate crisis, where the effects of climate change are real and immediate. COP31 will bring the focus of the world to the impacts, opportunities and priorities in our region.
Global focus on the most pressing challenges facing our region will support investments in solutions which are fit for purpose for our region.
Leading the COP31 negotiations in partnership with the Pacific will strengthen our ties with our closest neighbours, raising our region's profile in support of shared prosperity, stability and security.
Together, COP31 will accelerate practical action and investment to keep global temperatures to safer limits and help build resilience to climate impacts.
Joint statement - Türkiye-Australia partnership modalities
Definitions of roles:
"COP31 President" means a representative of Türkiye who will be nominated to be elected as President by the Conference of the Parties at the commencement of the sessions of COP31 and perform the relevant functions in accordance with the Draft Rules of Procedures of the UNFCCC.
In terms of this bilateral arrangement, the "COP31 President" assigns a representative of Australia as the "President of Negotiations", to whom he will delegate the functions of leading the COP31 Negotiations, for the duration of COP31, and who will have exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations.
To facilitate the above, the representative of Australia will be nominated as the Vice President of the COP for the duration of COP31. Türkiye and Australia, while taking leadership as "COP31 President" and "President of Negotiations", respectively, will consult each other.
If there is a difference of views between Türkiye and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction.
Events
Türkiye will host COP31, including the world leaders' summit in Türkiye.
The Pre-COP will be hosted in a Pacific island country (in a location to be decided by the Pacific), supported by the Government of Australia. This will be an opportunity for a number of leaders and others to see Pacific climate impacts and responses firsthand, hear voices and solutions from the region, and support Pacific-led initiatives.
Türkiye's Roles and Responsibilities as "COP31 President" and Host
A representative of Türkiye will be nominated to be elected "COP31 President" at the commencement of the sessions of COP31, and be the "COP31 President-Designate" from the end of COP30.
COP31 President will act based on the Draft Rules of Procedures of the UNFCCC.
Türkiye will prepare communications on the COP31 Conference.
Türkiye will enter into a Host Country Agreement with the UNFCCC and fulfil all the operational and logistical responsibilities of a host country of a COP.
Türkiye will appoint the UN High-Level Climate Champion.
Türkiye will appoint the Youth Champion proposed by Australia.
Türkiye will be responsible for COP31 Action Agenda.
Australia's Roles and Responsibilities
A representative of Australia will be assigned by the "COP31 President-Designate" as the "President of Negotiations" who will have the responsibility for the below functions from the end of COP30 until the end of the COP31/CMA8/CMP21 session.
- taking forward all mandates arising from negotiated outcomes,
- convening consultations and meetings throughout the year as needed to inform negotiations, including taking on their operational and logistical responsibilities,
- taking forward communications in relation to the negotiations,
- select ministerial and other co-facilitators for negotiations as necessary for the purposes of COP31,
- leading the negotiations agenda at COP31, including production of draft texts,
- be the focal point for engagements with the UNFCCC with regard to negotiations.
Australia, in partnership with Pacific island countries, will set the agenda for Pre-COP in the Pacific, preside over pre-COP, and fulfil all the operational and logistical responsibilities for pre-COP.
Building on the efforts of the COP30 Brazilian Presidency, Türkiye and Australia will work together, and with Pacific island countries, to strengthen and elevate the action agenda.
- This will include a session at COP31 focused on climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States which will provide a platform for pledges to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
Australia and Türkiye will work together to identify additional champions for the action agenda for thematic priorities, including champions from Pacific island countries.
