ANTALYA, TURKEY — The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP31, is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, later this year under an unprecedented arrangement that gives Turkey hosting responsibilities while Australia leads the formal climate negotiations, according to announcements by both governments and the U.N. climate process.
The conference, expected to bring together government leaders, negotiators, businesses and civil society representatives, follows a formal agreement reached during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in late 2025. Under the arrangement, Turkey will host the summit and hold the COP presidency, while Australia has been assigned the role of “President of Negotiations,” with responsibility for guiding the negotiating process.
The agreement ended a lengthy dispute between the two countries over hosting rights. Australia had sought to host the conference in partnership with Pacific Island nations, while Turkey pursued its own bid to stage the event in Antalya. Because COP hosts must be approved by consensus within the relevant U.N. regional group, negotiations continued for more than a year before a compromise was reached.
In a joint letter issued to parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in May, Australia and Turkey outlined shared priorities for the conference, including clean energy investment, resilient infrastructure and implementation of existing climate commitments. The letter described COP31 as an opportunity to accelerate climate action while supporting economic resilience and energy security.
“This letter is also historic,” the joint communication stated, noting that Turkey, Australia and Pacific partners would collectively contribute to the organization of COP31-related events. According to the governments, Fiji and Tuvalu are expected to host preparatory meetings and a special leaders’ gathering in the Pacific ahead of the main conference.
Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum, designated as COP31 president, has said the summit will focus on implementation of climate commitments. Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is expected to oversee the negotiation track under the bilateral arrangement reached between the two countries.
The annual COP conference has become the principal forum for negotiations under the U.N. climate framework. Delegates are expected to address issues including emissions reductions, climate finance, adaptation measures and support for vulnerable nations. Pacific countries have sought to ensure that the impacts of climate change on island states remain prominent in discussions.
As of June 2026, preparations for the conference were continuing. Organizers said Antalya will host the main summit, while additional preparatory events are scheduled in the Pacific region before delegates convene for COP31 later this year.
