The arrangement ensures that issues critical to the Pacific climate finance, resilience, and adaptation remain at the heart of global decision-making.
Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said in a statement, Australia’s bid aims to amplify Pacific interests, support multilateralism, and advance national priorities.
“Australia’s motivation in bidding to host COP31 has always been to elevate the views, and the interests of our Pacific brothers and sisters.”
A pre-COP event in a Pacific island will serve as a pledging platform for the Pacific Resilience Fund, addressing the urgent climate finance needs of vulnerable island communities.
As COP President for Negotiations, Bowen will have full authority to manage negotiations, appoint co-facilitators, prepare draft texts, and issue decisions, while Turkiye manages the venue and operations.
Bowen described the arrangement as a necessary compromise to maintain consensus, ensuring Pacific voices are central in global climate discussions.
“It’s also a significant concession for Turkiye to agree that Australia will be the COP President for the purposes of the negotiations. Significant concession is what’s required when you are trying to find consensus.”
He added, “Turkey would be the COP President for the purposes of that. I would be the COP President for the purposes of the negotiations, working to ensure good outcomes.”
Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a press conference hailed COP30 in Belém as one of the most successful climate conferences, emphasizing public participation, Indigenous representation, and global climate action.
Speaking alongside Environment Minister Marina Silva, Lula called on wealthy nations to support poorer countries in protecting forests, oceans, and freshwater resources.
Minister Silva announced €1 billion from Germany to the Tropical Forests Financing Facility (TFFF) and highlighted Brazil’s efforts to advance ocean protection globally.
COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago described the conference as moving from negotiation to implementation, with strong engagement from civil society, subnational governments, and the private sector.
Lula defended the Roadmap for national climate transitions, urged the phase-out of fossil fuels, and stressed that poorer nations must receive technology, finance, and knowledge from wealthier countries.
“This is not the COP of André, Guterres, or Lula, it’s the COP of the peoples of the world,” he said, highlighting the vital role of citizens, Indigenous peoples, and youth in shaping global climate solutions.
This story was produced as part of the COP30 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.
