Australia could split hosting rights for the Cop31 climate summit under a potential compromise being considered with Turkey, as Anthony Albanese concedes Ankara is determined to stay in the race, even risking both countries’ claims on the 2026 event.
Returning home from the UN general assembly and visits to the UK and the Middle East on Wednesday, Albanese told Guardian Australia he wished host countries were not decided using consensus rules, but pledged to continue diplomatic talks with the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Only one country can hold the Cop presidency, but a range of set-piece meetings take place before and after the leaders’ summit.
Government sources said there was precedent for previous climate summits to be co-hosted or organised across different locations.
Albanese would not be drawn on any possible solution in an interview, but left open the option of supporting Turkey in future international negotiations.
“We’re just engaging through,” Albanese said. “A clear majority of nations want Australia’s bid, but it’s clear also that this is a complex situation and we’ve got to try and resolve it.”
Turkey’s climate minister, Murat Kurum, this week floated the possibility of “innovative solutions” in which both countries could win. After meeting the climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, in New York, he said Australia and Turkey were examining options with the support of the UN climate secretariat.
Australia wants to host the summit in Adelaide, in a joint proposal with Pacific nations. Pacific Island climate ministers will hold talks in Sydney on Thursday and Friday.
“We’ll continue to engage constructively with our Turkish counterparts,” Albanese said. “It’s not just our bid, it is us and the Pacific as well.”
Asked if he was optimistic or uncertain about resolving the impasse, Albanese said he remained unsure, because of the complex rules.
Australia has at least 23 votes among the critical 28-country Western European and Others group, whose turn it is to host the summit. But if consensus cannot be reached, UN rules would send the conference to the German city of Bonn.
“I am certain of Australia’s support but if there’s two countries there, it reverts to Bonn,” Albanese said.
The trip – including an address to the general assembly in New York and his first in-person interaction with the U.S president, Donald Trump – coincided with major developments in international affairs.
