RELEASE: COP31 framework puts Pacific states front and centre
Media Releases and News
12 December 2025
For two weeks, Belém, Brazil was at the centre of the global climate agenda as host of COP30—set against heightened Pacific anticipation of a decision on the host of COP31, and the region’s strong interest in co-hosting a truly “Pacific COP” in partnership with Australia.
Amidst a geopolitical storm, 194 countries reaffirmed their commitment to climate cooperation, unity, and science—sending a clear signal that the transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient future is irreversible.
As the world now turns toward COP31, Türkiye and Australia have announced a landmark partnership designed to elevate the leadership and priorities of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).
Under this new arrangement, Türkiye will serve as COP31 President and host the Conference, including the World Leaders’ Summit.
Türkiye will lead all communications on the conference, fulfil all responsibilities of the COP host country under the UNFCCC, appoint the UN High-Level Climate Champion, and select the Youth Champion proposed by Australia.
In an innovative leadership model, the COP31 President will appoint a representative of Australia as “President of Negotiations”, delegated with exclusive authority over all COP31 negotiations.
From the end of COP30 through to the close of COP31, Australia will carry forward negotiation mandates, convene consultations throughout the year, manage operational responsibilities for negotiation-related meetings, lead the drafting of negotiation texts, and serve as the UNFCCC’s focal point for negotiations.
Central to this partnership is a strong commitment to the Pacific. The Pre-COP will be hosted in a Pacific Island country, selected by Pacific Leaders, and supported and presided over by Australia, in close partnership with PSIDS.
“This approach will give global leaders the opportunity to see Pacific climate impacts and community-driven adaptation first-hand, hear Pacific voices and solutions directly, and support Pacific-led initiatives,” said the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Baron Divavesi Waqa.
Türkiye and Australia will work together with Pacific Island nations to strengthen and elevate the COP31 Action Agenda with the support including:
A dedicated COP31 session on the climate finance needs of Small Island Developing States, providing a platform for pledges to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).
The identification of additional Action Agenda champions, including Pacific Champions for thematic priorities.
This approach builds on the strong outcomes of COP30, where nations agreed to triple adaptation finance, advance a just transition, and deliver real-world progress through the Action Agenda—supporting clean grids, protecting ecosystems, and increasing resilience for hundreds of millions of people.
"COP30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking, keeping humanity in the fight for a liveable planet, with a firm resolve to keep 1.5C within reach,” added Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary.
Through close collaboration with the Pacific, COP31 will work to deliver outcomes grounded in urgency, equity, and the lived realities of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations.
