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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday that Türkiye is prepared to host the COP31 climate summit next November under an unusual arrangement with Australia that would divide responsibilities for the major United Nations gathering.
Speaking to leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Erdogan said the compromise reached with Australia represents an important consensus that ended a protracted standoff over hosting duties for the November 2026 conference. Under the proposed arrangement, Türkiye would host the two-week summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya while Australia would oversee formal negotiations.
"We are pleased to host COP31 in Türkiye next November," Erdogan told the gathering. "I believe the consensus we established together with Australia is of high importance."
The agreement, finalized hours before Erdogan's address, is set to be formally approved by consensus at the COP30 summit currently underway in Brazil. A document detailing the compromise outlines that Türkiye would retain the formal COP31 presidency while Australia serves as vice president and chairs the negotiations.
Both countries had sought to host COP31 and neither backed down, creating a rare bidding war for the annual climate conference. Australia enjoyed greater international support than Türkiye, but the deadlock prevented a host from being chosen by consensus as required under United Nations rules.
The power-sharing solution marks an unprecedented division of duties for the Conference of the Parties, which has convened annually since 1995 to advance global climate action. The conferences bring together nearly 200 countries to negotiate commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts.
According to the proposal, preliminary "pre-COP" consultations—technical meetings typically held about a month before the main summit—would take place in a Pacific Island nation, acknowledging Australia's original intention to co-host with its regional neighbors.
Erdogan used his G20 remarks to outline Türkiye's climate ambitions, stating the country aims to quadruple its solar and wind energy capacity by 2035. He said the share of renewables in Türkiye's energy mix has already risen above 60% this year.
The announcement comes as nearly 200 countries adopted a new climate agreement Saturday at COP30 in Brazil, despite concerns from the European Union seeking stronger action on phasing out fossil fuels. Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago, who presided over COP30, gaveled the deal to approval amid applause in the room.
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Erdogan said the ceasefire reached last month is crucial for global stability. He cited UN data indicating that destruction caused by Israel "has pushed Palestine's development efforts back by 70 years."
"We are determined and ready to stand with the Palestinian people, as we always have," Erdogan said, committing Türkiye to supporting a lasting truce and contributing to reconstruction efforts in the Palestinian enclave.
The two-day G20 summit in Johannesburg brings together leaders from the world's largest economies to discuss pressing global challenges.
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