Papua New Guinea has expressed disappointment after Australia withdrew its ambition to co-host the upcoming UN climate talks, COP31, alongside its Pacific island neighbors. Justin Tkatchenko, Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister, conveyed his frustration to Agence France-Presse, stating, “We are all not happy. And disappointed it’s ended up like this,” after Australia decided to relinquish its hosting rights in favor of Turkey.
Australia had aimed to host the COP31 next year, acknowledging the urgent climate threats faced by South Pacific nations affected by rising sea levels and climate-related disasters. However, the plan fell through when Turkey, the other potential host, refused to concede its claim, marking a shift that aligns with Australia’s history of being scrutinized for its fossil fuel dependency and perceived lack of aggressive climate action.
Under a newly negotiated deal, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Turkey would host the climate summit, while Australia would still play a significant role by leading the negotiations among participating governments. Tkatchenko criticized the COP summit process itself as ineffective, questioning its achievements over the years. “It’s just a talk fest and doesn’t hold the big polluters accountable,” he remarked, highlighting the frustrations shared by Pacific Island leaders regarding their marginalization in the discussions.
Long-voiced concerns about the COP summits relate to the perceived inadequacy of solutions offered to combat the severe impacts of climate change. Leaders from vulnerable nations, like former Tuvalu Prime Minister Bikenibeu Paeniu, have criticized the decision as indicative of Australia’s lack of commitment to climate justice, urging Pacific nations to reconsider their relations with Australia. He stated, “What a miss but the Pacific will continue its fight no matter what.”
Despite the setback, there remains hope that Australia will continue to advocate for the Pacific amid talks of climate challenges, with the Australian Prime Minister signaling an intention to maintain a focus on the region’s issues. The ongoing situation underlines the severe and urgent threat climate change poses to the Pacific islands, with substantial displacement of populations and rising sea levels projected to escalate in the coming decades. The resilience of Pacific nations, along with their advocacy on the global climate stage, may still lead to meaningful progress in addressing these critical issues.