Pacific climate leaders have expressed their disappointment following Australia’s unsuccessful bid to host the United Nations Climate Conference, COP31, scheduled for 2026. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. openly shared his feelings, stating he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision. Australia had been advocating for the conference to be held within its borders, hoping it would coincide with the interests and concerns of the Pacific region.
In response to the outcome, Australia’s Climate Minister Chris Bowen announced a new agreement that involves him serving as the COP president for the negotiations, while a pre-COP meeting will take place in the Pacific. The main event is set to occur in Türkiye. Bowen explained that this arrangement allows Australia to prepare key documents for the conference, whereas Türkiye will handle the operational aspects of the event.
Whipps emphasized the significance of a Pacific COP, highlighting its necessity in addressing crucial issues related to climate and oceans, as well as the urgent threats faced by food security, economies, and livelihoods across the Pacific. He noted that adverse climate events—such as droughts, fires, floods, typhoons, and mudslides—are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, impacting communities around the world.
Despite ample support from various parties for Australia and the Pacific to host COP31, prolonged negotiations led to a stalemate with Türkiye. Consequently, Germany’s Bonn would have stepped in to host if a resolution couldn’t be established, leaving the COP without a president for a year—a scenario Bowen deemed irresponsible, given the current challenges facing multilateralism.
Bowen acknowledged the complexities of the situation, stating it was crucial to reach an agreement with Türkiye, despite the disappointment of not securing the conference for Australia. He remarked, “Obviously, it would be great if Australia could have it all,” but underscored that consensus is key in these negotiations.
Shiva Gounden, the head of Pacific campaigns for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, warned that losing the opportunity to host the event complicates the region’s struggle for climate justice. He explained that closer proximity to the event would allow Pacific leaders to shape negotiations and embed values central to their way of life.
Furthermore, Gounden critiqued the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), asserting it failed to provide a clear resolution to the contentious process leading up to COP30. He articulated concerns that if issues remained unresolved, the process might transfer to Bonn, exacerbating challenges for multilateralism at a time when it is under threat.
Sindra Sharma, the international policy lead for the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), reaffirmed that the decision regarding the COP31 presidency doesn’t absolve global responsibilities towards meeting the Paris Agreement goals. She urged that every increment of warming is a setback for both present and future generations, emphasizing the paramount importance of maintaining a focus on climate action. As COP30 draws to a close, Sharma stressed the need for strong outcomes that reflect the ambitions and justice that frontline communities deserve.
Despite the challenges faced, the commitment to climate action in the Pacific remains steadfast, underscoring a collective determination to advocate for meaningful change and protection from the ongoing impacts of climate challenges.