World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Australia to lead negotiations at UN climate summit COP31
COP31 opens in Turkey on 9 November, bringing countries together for UN climate negotiations.
Australia will lead the negotiations for the first time, with climate and energy minister Chris Bowen facing a central role.
The summit is scheduled to run from 9 to 20 November in Antalya, according to one account.
Countries must try to agree on climate action as the world remains off track to meet the Paris agreement’s goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
The task is to build consensus among nearly 190 countries, despite differences in their priorities.
Bowen has faced criticism over Australia’s credibility because the country has a large fossil fuel export industry.
He says the government is committed to advocating for its Pacific neighbours.
The summit will test whether countries can turn climate promises into action; no specific outcome is stated.
Australia is set to lead negotiations at the UN climate summit COP31 for the first time.
The summit will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November 2026.
Representatives from 162 countries are expected to attend, including 77 heads of state and government.
The summit aims to move beyond commitments and focus on concrete climate action, financing and implementation.
Australian Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen faces the challenge of building consensus among nearly 190 countries while the world is falling short of the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal.
- Who
- Australia will lead negotiations, with Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen facing a key role.
- What
- COP31, the 31st UN climate conference, will bring countries together for climate negotiations.
- When
- 9–20 November 2026.
- Where
- Antalya, Turkey.
- Why
- The summit aims to advance concrete climate action and keep the 1.5°C goal within reach.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first climate summit was held in Berlin, Germany.
COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey.
- Negotiation lead
- Australia, for the first time
- Host city
- Antalya, Turkey
- Summit dates
- 9–20 November 2026
- Countries represented
- 162
- Heads of state and government
- 77