Türkiye to host COP31 in 2026 with Australia leading negotiations

Türkiye will host the COP31 climate summit in 2026, while Australia will take the lead in guiding the negotiation process, according to a document released at the COP30 summit in Brazil on November 21, cited by Reuters. This confirmed earlier indications that a split hosting arrangement was anticipated.

The announcement came from Germany following a meeting of the Western European and Others Group, which had been responsible for selecting the 2026 host.

The agreement resolves a prolonged dispute between the two countries, both of which had sought to host the United Nations climate talks. Under the arrangement, Türkiye will serve as the venue for COP31, while Australia will oversee the negotiation process. The statement emphasised that “if there is a difference of views between Türkiye and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction.”

In preparation for the summit, a pre-COP meeting will be held in a Pacific Island nation. Australia will lead the year-long process of shaping the summit’s agenda and setting its priorities.

COP31 will take place in Antalya, the Mediterranean resort city where Türkiye already hosts a major diplomatic forum every January. COP summits typically attract world leaders, business executives, and tens of thousands of visitors, making them events of significant prestige.

Türkiye has indicated that, as an emerging economy, it intends to use COP31 to promote solidarity between wealthy and developing nations, emphasising a global rather than a regional focus.

By Tamilla Hasanova