Australia Stands Firm: Co-Presidency with Türkiye at COP31 ‘Not Workable,’ says Albanese
BELÉM, BRAZIL – November 10, 2025 – Prime minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated that a shared presidency of the 2026 COP31 climate talks with Türkiye is not a viable option, as negotiations continue at COP30 in Belém to resolve a diplomatic impasse. The standoff threatens to hand hosting duties to Bonn, Germany – a scenario Berlin has indicated it wishes to avoid.
The dispute centers on Türkiye’s insistence on a co-presidency, a proposal experts say clashes with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) rules. “There is simply no way under the UNFCCC rules for there to be a ‘co-presidency’,” explained Thom Woodroofe, a senior international fellow with the Smart Energy Council in Australia, currently attending COP30. “Nor is it even conceptually workable that two countries on the opposite sides of the world with vastly different priorities adn experiences of the climate crisis could govern something as complex as a COP under a unified umbrella.”
Australia is currently seeking a resolution before the conclusion of COP30 later this week, with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen arriving in Belém over the weekend to assist in negotiations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed optimism on Sunday, anticipating a resolution “by the end of the week.”
While Türkiye continues to push for a leading role, suggestions have been made for it to take on a significant supporting role, such as hosting ancillary meetings. Woodroofe urged a collaborative approach, stating, “Now is not the time for ultimatums, it is the time to be thinking through creatively with Australia how Türkiye’s desire to lead can still best be legitimately accommodated in some other way.” He also noted the busy schedule facing Türkiye, including hosting NATO leaders, including President Trump.
Delegations at COP30 largely attribute the deadlock to Türkiye’s position. “Nobody here in Belem is under any false pretences as to what is holding up a deal,” Woodroofe added, “and this delay is having an impact on what is the most consequential gathering for many countries in the world.”
Pacific leaders are also emphasizing the importance of regional inclusion in any final hosting arrangement. George Carter, a research fellow at the ANU’s Department of Pacific Affairs, stated that leaders “wont to make sure that the Pacific is at the heart of both of these options, and they want to make sure that the issues from the Pacific [and] the people from the Pacific are also heard.”
Observers believe Australia enjoys strong support for its bid to host COP31, and is prepared to pursue the matter to a resolution.
