(MENAFN) Türkiye is promoting principles of cooperation and inclusiveness in its bid to host and chair the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled for 2026.

Diplomatic sources reported on Sunday that Türkiye and Australia were the main candidates for hosting COP31. During discussions at the 80th UN General Assembly, both countries initially reached a basis of mutual understanding, with plans to co-chair the presidency, share high-level meetings, and conduct negotiations jointly.

However, a letter from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected previously agreed terms, effectively resetting the process. Australia argued that a co-chairing arrangement is not envisaged under UN rules and could shift COP’s focus away from the Pacific region.

Türkiye maintains that a co-chairing model would serve as a model for strengthening multilateralism, a point reiterated by Erdogan in his response to Albanese.

Diplomatic sources noted that Ankara remains open to flexible solutions through good-faith consultations but is prepared to host COP31 and assume the presidency independently if no agreement is reached.

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