BELÉM, BRAZIL, Sunday 16 November 2025 – Australia's bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific hangs in the balance as Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen lands in Belém, Brazil for the second week of the UN climate summit.
Minister Bowen arrives in the Amazon city for the crucial second week of talks, with the COP31 hosting standoff finally due to be settled, and countries potentially on the cusp of a breakthrough on fossil fuels.
Speaking from Belém, Dr Simon Bradshaw, COP31 Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: "As Minister Bowen lands in Belém, it's clear there's now everything to play for. Now is the time for bold climate leadership, true partnership, and for resisting the fossil fuel industry.
"With the US absent and detached from reality, the world desperately needs countries like Australia to step up. There has never been more at stake, or more opportunity to be a force for good in the world.
"All talk here in Belém is about building a new 'roadmap' to guide the transition away from fossil fuels — the fundamental challenge in limiting warming to 1.5°C and protecting communities from the ravages of climate chaos.
"It looks likely the work begun here on a fossil fuels roadmap will then be handed to the next COP host to finish the job. This could place Australia and the Pacific in a powerful position to help accelerate the world's phase out of fossil fuels. But first we need to secure COP31.
"Pacific leadership and diplomacy were on full display over the first week, setting the agenda on closing the 1.5°C emissions gap. It's time for Australia to get off the fence and get squarely behind its Pacific family. It's time to show the world that a COP31 in Australia, if it is a true partnership with the Pacific, is a vital opportunity to accelerate global climate action during this make-or-break decade."
