The COP31 climate summit next year will likely be held in Turkey after a compromise with Australia.
The two countries agreed to an unusual divide: Usually, the COP president comes from the host, but an Australian will lead in 2026. The decision is a relief for the UN, because the lack of a host was becoming embarrassing, and because COP is a major diplomatic event. Preparing for thousands of visitors and building consensus around the summit’s goals in just a year will be difficult.
The organization has been more forward-looking for COP32, set to be in Ethiopia — the first sub-Saharan African host since 2011. Semafor’s Alexis Akwagyiram reported “cautious optimism” that it would boost focus on climate change’s impact on Africa.