Turkey beats Australia in race to host climate talks in 2026

Turkey is set to host the flagship United Nations climate change conference in 2026, beating Australia following a protracted contest between the two countries.

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A deal was reached so that the COP31 talks in November 2026 will be staged in the resort city Antalya, said Mr Jochen Flasbarth, Germany’s state secretary for climate.

He said there was no opposition to the agreement within a group of countries that needs to back the decision. A formal sign-off is still needed.

“It’s something extraordinary that two countries, from very different sides of the planet but being in one group, reached an agreement,” Mr Flasbarth told reporters after the meeting. “I saw a lot of support and no general opposition.”

Turkey will also hold the presidency of the summit while Australia will lead the negotiations under an agreement forged late on Nov 19, Mr Flasbarth said, confirming earlier reporting by Bloomberg.

The world leaders summit that typically happens at the start of each COP will also take place in Turkey, he added.

There will be a pre-COP event in the Pacific region.