Agreement secures COP31 presidency of negotiations for Australia and hosting in Türkiye, with Pacific engagement a precursor to global climate negotiations.

Australia and Türkiye have reached an agreement on the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), ending a year-long stalemate over hosting rights. Under the compromise announced at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Türkiye will host COP31 in November 2026 in the resort city of Antalya and handle the formal presidency of the conference, while Australia will hold the COP presidency for negotiations, giving it authority to manage talks, prepare draft texts, and issue the summit’s cover decision.

The deal also secures a pre-COP gathering in the Pacific, reinforcing the region’s voice in global climate diplomacy and spotlighting the existential challenges faced by island nations. This arrangement ensures that Australia and the Pacific remain central to shaping the global climate agenda, even as the summit takes place on the Turkish Riviera.

It’s not the first time that two countries have shared responsibilities over a climate COP. Six previous COPs have had two countries collaborate on the presidency:

• COP2 – President: Zimbabwe, Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• COP6 part 2 – President: Netherlands, Location: Bonn.
• COP5 – President: Poland, Location: Bonn, Germany
• COP9 – President: Hungary, Location: Milan, Italy
• COP23 – President: Fiji, Location: Bonn, Germany
• COP25 – President: Chile, Location: Madrid, Spain.

UN Global Compact Network Australia’s role

As Country Networks of the United Nations’ corporate sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA) – alongside the UN Global Compact Network Türkiye – play a critical role in connecting businesses to global climate and sustainability frameworks, providing a natural home for Australian businesses in shaping Australia’s contribution to COP31.

Throughout 2026, the UN Global Compact Network Australia will unite Australian businesses to catalyse climate action, elevating business insights into broader global discussions and showcasing the best of Australian climate and nature leadership to the world.

This is a once-in-a-generation chance for Australian businesses to shape the global climate agenda and demonstrate what real action looks like.

Our flagship UNiting Business LIVE Australia conference (13-14 May 2026) will anchor the year, building momentum pre-COP and preparing companies for a strong presence at COP31.

UNGCNA participants will come together at COP31, where we will guide and support Australian businesses to:

1. Engage with global leaders

Through the UN Global Compact Business Hub in the Blue Zone, a dedicated pavilion for business leaders, policymakers, and investors to connect, collaborate, and showcase solutions.

2. Mobilise collective action

Convening stakeholders from across business, government and the United Nations to overcome systemic barriers such as policy fragmentation and financing gaps and promoting practical policy and market proposals grounded in transparency, human rights, and good governance.

3. Accelerate climate action

Highlighting real-world leadership by Australian companies taking credible, place-based action across energy, nature, transport, agriculture, and finance—and scaling solutions through partnerships.

Kate Dundas, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Australia, said, “COP31 is a defining moment for Australia and the Pacific to lead on climate action. Holding the presidency for negotiations gives us the chance to show the world that business is not just part of the conversation—it’s driving the solutions. Through credible transition plans, innovation, and collaboration, Australian companies can demonstrate what leadership looks like in building a net-zero, nature-positive economy.”

“Through the UN Global Compact Business Hub at COP31 and leadership initiatives throughout 2026, we will ensure the private sector is visible, credible, and influential at COP31.”

Dr Evan Center, Senior Manager, Environment & Climate Change, UN Global Compact Network Australia, said, “The scale of transformation required to meet global climate goals cannot be achieved by governments alone. Business has a critical role to play in mobilising finance, accelerating technology, and delivering real-world solutions. COP31 is the platform for Australian companies to step up, showcase progress, and influence the policies and partnerships that will shape our future.”

Melda Çele, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Türkiye said, “Türkiye stands not only at the crossroads of Europe and Asia geographically, but also as a strategic catalyst between developed and developing economies. Türkiye’s role as COP31 President and Host presents a unique opportunity to foster dialogue, trust, and cooperation across regions and sectors guided by a commitment to ‘leaving no one behind’.

The Turkish private sector—deeply integrated into global value chains—is ready to lead with credible climate action, sustainable finance, innovation, and people-centred solutions.

This pivotal collaboration with Australia creates a unique alignment of Asia-Pacific, European and Mediterranean business leadership. COP31 will be more than a negotiation platform—it will be a turning point where business transforms ambition into action and delivers real impact.”

Why COP31 matters for business

As we pass 10 years since the Paris Agreement, COP31 is expected to attract over 30,000 delegates from 190+ countries, including world leaders, investors, scientists, and business executives.

It is a platform for the private sector to demonstrate credible climate leadership. Australian businesses have a unique opportunity to:

• Showcase leadership: demonstrate credible climate transition plans to global investors, regulators, and markets.
• Influence policy: help shape frameworks that will determine how capital flows into Australia’s transition.
• Drive collective action: collaborate to overcome systemic barriers like financing gaps and supply chain complexity.
• Access global networks and finance: position Australia as a hub for decarbonisation and innovation.

Businesses are expected to contribute one-third of the $100–$275 trillion needed globally by 2050 for climate solutions. COP31 is the moment to turn commitments into action.

Geopolitical significance of the Australia-Türkiye partnership

This agreement is more than a logistical compromise—it signals a unique moment in global climate diplomacy, bridging Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. By sharing responsibilities, Australia and Türkiye demonstrate how cross-regional collaboration can overcome geopolitical tensions to advance global climate action.

Australia’s Presidency of Negotiations: Positions the Asia-Pacific region as a key driver of negotiations, amplifying the voices of Pacific Island nations (one of three global sub-groups of Small Island Developing States) that are on the frontlines of climate impacts.

Türkiye’s hosting role: Strengthens its influence as a bridge between developed and developing economies, leveraging its strategic location to foster inclusive dialogue.

Pacific leadership: The pre-COP gathering in the Pacific ensures that vulnerable nations shape the agenda, reinforcing equity and resilience as core principles of COP31.

This partnership underscores that climate action is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a geopolitical priority shaping trade, investment, and security across continents.

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