COP31, Climate

Antalya, Türkiye. November, 2026.

Overview

COP31 will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, following an agreement with Australia, which had planned to co-host the conference alongside Pacific Island nations. While Australia will no longer host the event, it will retain a central leadership role as President of the Negotiations through its Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.

In the lead-up to the summit, the Pre-COP will be held in a Pacific Island nation selected by the Pacific Islands Forum, creating a crucial space for Pacific and wider island communities to shape collective priorities before arriving in Antalya.

A panel of officials sitting at a long table on stage during a COP 26 climate conference. The large screen behind them displays the COP 26 logo with a globe and the text "Türkiye and Australia will work together." The table has the United Nations Climate Change logo and the words "COP 26 BRASIL." Audience members are seated in front of the stage.

Island Priorities

1. Continued need for strong Pacific leadership despite changed host nation
Even with the shift to Türkiye, Pacific Island governments remain integral to agenda-setting, and the Pre-COP location ensures their perspectives anchor the preparatory discussions.

2. Negotiation leadership from Australia
With negotiations chaired by Australia, islands will have structured opportunities to influence ministerial direction — but proactive coordination will be essential to ensure their priorities remain visible.

3. A pivotal moment for adaptation and finance
COP31 will coincide with new finance mechanisms entering operational phases. Islands will need clear project pipelines and unified messaging to benefit fully.

4. Urgent need to elevate lived island experience
The relocation of COP31 underscores the importance of intentional storytelling: ensuring community realities, cultural continuity, and frontline impacts are not overshadowed by geopolitical shifts.

Planning Ahead

Over the next year, additional preparation will be essential to safeguard and strengthen island representation. This includes building regional coordination, preparing delegation members for engagement with Australian-led negotiation structures, and ensuring that island priorities are firmly embedded in both Pre-COP and Antalya agendas.

Oileán will support island communities throughout this process, assisting with preparation, messaging, and access to ensure their voices shape the outcomes of COP31.

Let's Plan

“For COP31, ensuring that Pacific islanders – in addition to other island populations across the globe, are given an opportunity to shape and drive the agenda, is essential, and will surely generate benefits for all populations of our planet.”

— Ahab Downer, Programme Director of the Green Overseas Programme