Australia and Turkey are competing for the right to host the United Nations’ annual climate conference (COP) in 2026. The rivalry came to a head during the ongoing negotiations between the two countries at the 30th COP meeting in Belem.
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Supporters of Australia’s candidacy held a press conference to defend their candidacy outside the country’s pavilion at COP30 on Thursday. The situation was considered embarrassing as the venue was only a few steps away from the Turkish venue. On Thursday morning, representatives of Australia’s indigenous peoples performed a cultural dance as Turkish Pavilion workers handed out coffee and tea to participants.
Rebecca Miklarite, executive director of the Climate Investor Group, a network of Australian and New Zealand institutional investors, said Australia had a unique opportunity to “be a force for decarbonisation across the region and indeed the world”.
The question at stake is which country will lead high-level international climate negotiations in 2026, hosting conferences that typically draw tens of thousands of delegates from around the world and attracting significant green investment.
The host country also guarantees a unique opportunity to showcase its climate policy, economy and culture to the world, as well as attract tourists and business. So far, neither Turkiye nor Australia is willing to give up, and while the countries tasked with resolving the conflict have not yet reached a decision, the process requires agreement.
Three years ago, when Australia first entered the competition, it seemed almost certain that it would host COP31 alongside Pacific Island countries. However, President Erdoğan stated at last year’s COP29 that the country, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2053, would also bid to host the 2026 summit.
A possible outcome is that the conference could be held in Adelaide, Australia or Antalya, Turkey. If no decision is made by the end of this COP30, Germany will automatically become the host country.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that he had received a letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan within the past 24 hours stating that “Australia will stand its ground in response to our stand.”
Supporters of holding the conference in Australia say it will continue to focus on indigenous peoples, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region and island nations most affected by climate change.
Veteran negotiators and activists say this could help push for a more progressive outcome, including a firmer commitment to abandoning fossil fuels, which worries the Middle East’s major oil producers.
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