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.
