Turkey proposed to organize the 31st UN Climate Conference (COP31) in 2026 together with Australia. However, according to a diplomatic source of the Reuters agency, the parties have not yet reached an agreement, writes TASR.
In short:
- Turkey proposes co-organization of the COP31 climate conference with Australia
- The parties have not yet reached an agreement regarding the candidature for hosting
- The COP conferences provide an umbrella for global efforts to combat climate change
- Turkey promotes cooperation and inclusion especially for developing countries
Both states expressed interest in organizing next year’s climate conference in 2022, and neither of them withdrew their candidacy. This has led to a stalemate that needs to be overcome at this year’s conference currently underway in Belém, Brazil.
The role of the conference
The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the world’s main forum for promoting measures in this area. Its host is important because it sets the agenda and leads the diplomatic efforts needed to reach global agreements.
Reuters sources say Turkey and Australia have discussed the possibility of co-chairing the conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. They also allegedly discussed the sharing of responsibilities for organizing meetings of leaders at the highest level and the possibility of conducting negotiations together.
Different opinions
According to them, such negotiations created a “basis of mutual understanding”, although since then the proposal for a joint presidency has not progressed. Sources say that later negotiations were affected by differences of opinion on how the organization of the summit would look with respect to customary UN procedures.
Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen arrived in Belém on Saturday for the COP30 summit, saying the final decision would be made there and Australia had “huge support” for its bid. Canberra says it wants to co-host the conference with some Pacific island nations to highlight the threats they face from climate change. The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) therefore supported Australia’s candidacy.
Turkey’s position
Turkey, on the other hand, says that its candidacy emphasizes cooperation and inclusion and tries to focus on financing developing countries. At the same time, it wants to present its own progress towards achieving the goal of zero emissions by 2053.
According to Reuters diplomatic sources, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also emphasized this vision in a recent diplomatic communication with the Australian Prime Minister. According to him, Turkey continues to believe in a “flexible solution” to the organization of the summit. However, Ankara is said to be ready to host the conference itself unless the parties reach an agreement.
The organization of the summit rotates among the five regional groups, and the host country must be unanimously agreed upon by the group. Both Australia and Turkey belong to the regional block “Western Europe and other countries”.
