Australia downplays joint climate event with Turkey
Australia has poured cold water on the idea of jointly leading the world’s biggest climate conference with Türkiye.
As this year’s COP30 draws to a close, both countries have days to try to resolve a years-long dispute over the rights to host the 2026 United Nations climate conference.
Increasing pressure has reportedly led Türkiye to propose a joint presidency model with Australia, which would include sharing duties in hosting high-level meetings and jointly leading negotiations.
But cabinet minister Kristy McBain played down the suggestion.
“It’s important that these negotiations are concluded,” he told ABC News on Monday.
“(But) one of the reasons we wanted to bring the COP here and host it with our Pacific Island neighbors was so people already had a real understanding of what was really going on in the communities.”
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has traveled to Belem, Amazon, for COP30 to represent Australia and try to seal the deal by holding talks with Turkish counterparts at next year’s conference.
Before leaving on Saturday, he argued that Australia had the “overwhelming support of the world” to host the event.
However, the United Nations’ annual Conference of the Parties lacks provisions to break the stalemates that arise due to such disputes, due to the scenario of voluntary withdrawal by one party or the other.
Mr Bowen told reporters: “It means we have to come to an agreement with Türkiye; it’s difficult.”
“I know it is in Australia’s interest to be president of the COP and to host the COP.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote a letter to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in early November in an attempt to end the impasse.
But Turkey has refused to back down, saying its candidacy emphasizes cooperation and inclusivity and aims to focus more on financing for developing countries while showcasing its progress towards a 2053 net-zero emissions target.
This year’s climate change conference is expected to wrap up on Friday and Mr Bowen said the hosting deal would be decided by then.
If undecided, Germany, home of the UN climate headquarters, could be forced to take responsibility for the 2026 conference.
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