As the negotiations concluded at COP30 in Brazil, it was formally announced that Türkiye will host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in 2026 and hold the COP31 Presidency, with Australia appointed as President for the negotiations and the pre-COP to be held by the Pacific. A representative of Australia will be vice-President for the duration of COP31. Türkiye will also host the World Leaders Summit and appoint the High-Level Champion while Australia will propose the Youth Champion for Türkiye to appoint.
Through this partnership, Türkiye and Australia must work together to ensure that COP31 sets a new benchmark for ambition by prioritising the era of implementation established at COP30, accelerating real-world action that builds on the outcomes, maximises the opportunities and finds solutions to the challenges emerging from Belem.
Quotes
Cosima Cassel, Programme Lead, Climate Diplomacy & Geopolitics, E3G, said:
“A Turkish COP31 Presidency that includes a leadership role for Australia and the Pacific is a unique opportunity for two critical regions to drive ambition and accelerate progress in this era of implementation. It is essential that the COP31 Presidency continues to drive forward the new era of implementation and finds practical solutions for parties to resolve challenges emerging from Belem. It is an opportunity to continue the work ahead to close the ambition gap across energy, finance, adaptation and resilience and governance. It is critical that it ensures the voices of the Pacific are also heard in the process.”
Öykü Şenlen, Senior Researcher, Global Clean Power Diplomacy, E3G, said:
“COP31 provides Türkiye an opportunity to play a leading role in climate action in partnership with Australia. With its abundant renewable resources and institutional capacity, Türkiye is well-placed to build on its current NDC and demonstrate progress across the wider climate agenda. Acting as a bridge between East and West, Türkiye can help make COP31 a decisive moment for accelerating the clean energy transition, electrification, resilience and turning ambition into action. We look forward to collaborating with the Turkish COP31 presidency.”
For more on Türkiye’s pathway to credible climate leadership, read our blog setting out this clear pathway for Türkiye to move from incremental steps to genuine leadership ahead of COP31.
Natasha Green, Associate at E3G Australia, said:
“While COP31 won’t be held in Adalaide, Australia’s role as COP31 President of the Negotiations and the Pacific’s role as host of pre-COP will bring critical attention and investment to the region which is feeling the growing pressure of climate change, energy security concerns and building climate-resilient economies. Asia–Pacific is expected to deliver around 47% of the global growth in renewables needed to achieve the COP28 goal of tripling capacity by 2030, and COP31 must deliver the support, investment and political will to deliver on these goals, no matter where it is hosted.”
Available for comment
Cosima Cassel (EN, SP, DE) Programme Lead Multilateral Venues, (Climate Diplomacy and Geopolitics, COP30) m: +49 (0) 160 339 0883 | Cosima.cassel@e3g.org
Natasha Green (EN) E3G Associate – Australia (multilateral climate diplomacy, global energy transition, Australian climate and energy policy, fossil fuel phase out) | natasha.green@e3g.org
Öykü Şenlen (EN, TR) E3G Senior Researcher (global clean energy transition, TUR climate and energy policy) | oyku.senlen@e3g.org
Notes to Editors
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