The final verdict is expected at COP30 next year or during a meeting in Bonn, Germany, in June 2025
The race to host COP31, the pivotal international climate conference scheduled for 2026, has escalated into a heated contest between Australia and Turkey.
With both countries vying for the prestigious event, the decision on the host nation remains unresolved after the United Nations’ “Western Europe and Others Group” failed to reach a consensus in a recent meeting.
The final verdict is expected at COP30 next year or during a meeting in Bonn, Germany, in June 2025.
Australia, proposing to co-host the conference with one or more Pacific island nations, has suggested potential venues including Sydney or Adelaide.
Tom Woodruff, a senior fellow at the Australian Smart Energy Council, praised the country’s history of successfully implementing large-scale projects. He emphasized that hosting COP31 would solidify Australia’s role as a renewable energy powerhouse and enhance its influence in the global energy transition.
Meanwhile, Turkey has nominated Antalya, a historic city on the Mediterranean coast, as its venue. Bahar Öze, coordinator of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network in Turkey, underscored the country’s strong transportation infrastructure and relatively low dependence on fossil fuels.
These factors, Öze believes, position Turkey as a viable host for COP31, which would be a landmark event on the world stage for climate diplomacy.
As the two nations push their bids forward, the final decision will have significant implications for the global climate agenda. Experts are particularly focused on the host nations’ domestic policies, with concerns about the human rights track records and the space for civil society activism in both countries.
The role of human rights in the climate discourse is critical, and the selection process has brought attention to the need for a host country committed not only to climate action but also to democratic principles and the protection of civil society.
In addition to the fierce competition for COP31, the UN has already decided on Brazil as the host for COP30 in 2025. The Brazilian city of Belém do Pará, located near the Amazon rainforest, will serve as the backdrop for what many hope will be a transformative summit focused on halting deforestation and restoring critical ecosystems. This decision follows Brazil’s President Lula’s strong commitment to combating Amazonian deforestation, a key global climate issue.
The COP31 decision, though, has global ramifications, with observers warning that the outcome may shape the direction of international climate negotiations. Experts argue that the world needs more than incremental progress.
Despite historic agreements like the 2015 Paris Accord, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the pace of change has been slow. Last year’s COP28 in Dubai saw a promise to phase out fossil fuels, but global carbon emissions increased by nearly 1%, raising doubts about the seriousness of the world’s climate commitments.
Prominent climate figures, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, ex-UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, and former Irish President Mary Robinson, have called for reform of the UN’s climate governance. They argue that countries resisting fossil fuel phase-outs should be barred from hosting future climate talks, pressing for stronger, more urgent action to address the crisis.
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, emphasized the importance of selecting a host country that upholds climate justice and a just transition for all.
“As the world faces a climate crisis, it is crucial that the host country of COP31 embodies the principles of inclusivity, urgency, and human rights in addressing climate change,” Rahman said.
“The host nation must ensure a space for civil society, activists, and marginalised communities to participate freely and fully in these critical discussions. We need a venue that not only facilitates crucial conversations but also ensures that solutions are equitable and actionable, particularly for the Global South, where the impact is often felt the hardest.”
The selection of the host for COP31 is more than just a logistical decision; it’s a reflection of the kind of climate leadership the world is willing to embrace. As global attention turns to this race, the future of international climate action may well hinge on which nation is entrusted with guiding the next critical phase of climate negotiations.
