The COP31 climate meeting is set to take place in Turkey after Australia withdrew its bid, agreeing to support Turkey’s proposal for Antalya in exchange for its minister chairing the talks. This unusual arrangement has raised questions, as it’s typical for the COP president to be from the host country. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the compromise, despite some Pacific leaders expressing disappointment. The agreement, which includes a pre-COP meeting on a Pacific island, requires ratification by over 190 countries at COP30 in Brazil.
