Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday rejected Turkey’s proposal to jointly organize the 31st UN Climate Conference (COP31) with Australia next year. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected the joint organization of COP31.
- Australia and Turkey do not want to withdraw their candidacies.
- COP31 would be held in Germany in case of deadlock.
Australia and Turkey expressed interest in organizing next year’s conference, and none of the countries withdrew their candidacy, which led to a stalemate. The host must be chosen by consensus, so if Australia or Turkey do not withdraw their candidacy or agree on the division of duties, both countries will lose the opportunity to host COP31. The right to host the conference would automatically go to Germany, where the UN Office for Climate Change is based.
Joint organization rejected
On Monday, Albanese rejected the proposal to organize the conference together with Turkey. “That’s not an option, and people are aware that it’s not an option, so it’s ruled out,” he said.
A Turkish diplomatic source told AFP over the weekend that Turkey “continues to push for a co-chairmanship model” but was prepared to host the summit without Australia if consensus could not be reached.
Australia wants to hold next year’s conference in the city of Adelaide in the south of the country, while, according to AFP, it wants to draw attention to the neighboring Pacific islands – that is, a part of the world hit hard by the consequences of climate change. The leaders of these islands have long criticized COP summits for marginalizing their voices or offering only limited practical solutions.
Although Australia is trying to host a climate conference, it remains the world’s second largest exporter of coal and has long profited from fossil fuel exports. According to AFP, she viewed climate measures as a political and economic burden. A long-running domestic dispute over emissions policy has slowed its progress, and it remains dependent on its fossil fuel-based economy for economic growth.
The dispute between the candidates continues
Turkey refuses to back down in its bid to host the conference and continues to insist that COP31 should be held on its soil, specifically in the resort town of Antalya. The Turkish source cited said Turkey wants COP31 to focus on the world’s most vulnerable regions, with potential special sessions addressing Pacific issues.
Brazil, which is hosting this year’s COP30 conference, has appointed a representative to help settle the dispute between Australia and Turkey. According to diplomats, there has been no progress so far.
