Australia is making a strong push to host next year’s United Nations climate conference, COP31. Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that he will travel to Brazil this Saturday to attend COP30 in Belem, aiming to secure international support amid a persistent contest with Turkey.
Both Australia and Turkey submitted bids back in 2022, and neither country has stepped back since. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese even reached out to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a bid to break the deadlock. Bowen, however, remains confident. “Australia has the overwhelming support of the world to host,” he told reporters at Sydney Airport.
At COP30, Bowen plans to highlight Australia’s clean energy sector and advocate for hosting the summit alongside Pacific island nations for the first time. “Our nation has a lot at stake when it comes to climate change, but every effort we make now will help avert the worst impacts,” he said. A regional bloc of 18 Pacific nations, many vulnerable to rising sea levels, is backing Australia’s bid.
Australia’s vision is clear: become a renewable energy superpower while showcasing opportunities in critical minerals, green steel, batteries, and other transition technologies. Meanwhile, Turkey hopes to steer the summit toward financing solutions for developing countries while emphasizing its path toward net-zero emissions by 2053.
The COP meetings have evolved from traditional diplomatic gatherings into influential global platforms, where host nations can advance both climate action and economic opportunities. Australia’s pitch reflects both its commitment to the climate fight and a strategic effort to position itself as a leader in the global green economy.
For Australians, this isn’t just about hosting a summit—it’s about showing the world how countries can work together to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
