Belem, Brazil — Turkey will host COP31 after a diplomatic deadlock that saw Australia cede hosting rights but propose a model that retains its presidency over negotiations and a Pre-COP meeting in the Pacific.
The multi-year campaign from Australia to secure the COP31 presidency received significant backing from Pacific Island nations, seeking to bring climate negotiations to one of the most heavily impacted regions in the world.
Fenton Lutunatabua, 350.org Pacific Team Lead says,
“The Pacific has always fought an uphill battle when it comes to our survival, and not once have we given up. An Australia-Pacific partnership for COP31 may have offered pathways for inclusion and regional leadership, but we will not let this turn of events discourage us from demanding those very same things come next year. The fight to stay below 1.5°C continues here at COP30 and that remains our goal.”
Despite the turn of events, Pacific civil society remains committed to continuing the legacy of Pacific climate leadership and pushing for the most ambition possible.
Suluafi Brianna Fruean, 350.org Pacific Council Elder says,
“We acknowledge all the work that Pacific leaders did to try and bring COP to the Pacific, a region on the extreme frontlines of the climate crisis. With Australia hopefully still holding some role of leadership in the COP31 negotiations, we remain adamant that they rise to the occasion. This means an end to fossil fuel exports and support of the Pacific’s renewable energy transition. As attention turns to Turkey, Pacific people still fight every day of the year to keep our islands safe. We will continue that fight here in the final days of COP30, in the efforts to stay below 1.5 degrees, and in our dream of a 100% Renewable Pacific.”
Savio Carvalho, 350.org Managing Director for Campaigns and Networks says,
“After three years of climate conferences held in regimes that excluded civil society by design, COP30 saw us return in full and vibrant power: once again, the voices of people have echoed loudly through the corridors of the UNFCCC here in Belém, exactly what a people’s COP should feel like. Our voices must outnumber — and outweigh — the 1,600+ fossil fuel lobbyists who show up to stall progress and delay action on the much-needed transition away from fossil fuels. This critical balance correction must continue as Brazil hands the baton to whoever hosts the next COP, so that a healthy, representative and inclusive COP31 can secure the future we need.”
Dr Sindra Sharma, International Policy Lead at the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network says,
“As negotiations between Türkiye and Australia continue, the decision on the COP31 presidency does not shift the global responsibility to deliver on the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. There is no safe ‘overshoot’ and every increment of warming is a failure to current and future generations.
At the same time, we cannot afford to lose focus. We are in the final hours of COP30 and the outcomes we secure here will set the foundation for COP31. We need to stay locked in and ensure this COP delivers the ambition and justice frontline communities deserve.”
Media Contacts
Drue Slatter | [email protected] | +81 8075299441
Rachel Brabbins | [email protected] | +55 21 98299 8251