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Australia on Thursday withdrew its bid to co-host next year’s United Nations climate conference with Pacific island nations, ending months of diplomatic efforts and handing hosting rights to Turkey in a decision that drew sharp criticism from regional partners.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the reversal as “an outstanding outcome,” saying Australia secured the COP presidency for pre-summit negotiations and will host a preparatory meeting in the Pacific. Turkey will hold the main COP31 conference and formal presidency.
The decision disappointed Pacific island nations that face existential threats from rising seas and climate-fueled disasters. Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told AFP his country was “not happy” with the outcome, calling the COP process “just a talk fest” that fails to hold major polluters accountable.
South Australia had already won domestic rights to host the event in Adelaide after what Premier Peter Malinauskas described as “a couple of years of effort.” He said he understood the Prime Minister’s position but acknowledged the international process as “frankly obscene.”
Opposition Greens leader Larissa Waters called the outcome “embarrassing,” arguing the government “didn’t really want to host a climate summit” if it required scrutiny of Australia’s coal and gas policies.
Albanese said the arrangement would keep Pacific concerns “front and centre” by allowing Australia to invite world leaders to address ocean health and island state survival during pre-conference negotiations.
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