Papua New Guinea's government has expressed profound disappointment after Australia unexpectedly withdrew from its bid to co-host next year's crucial UN climate conference alongside Pacific island nations.
The decision, confirmed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during talks in Brazil, represents a significant setback for Pacific countries facing existential threats from climate change.
Pacific Discontent Over Climate Summit Withdrawal
Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko did not mince words when speaking to Agence France-Presse, stating plainly: "We are all not happy. And disappointed it's ended up like this." The diplomatic rebuke highlights growing tensions between Australia and its Pacific neighbours over climate action.
The proposed "Pacific COP" would have been the first time the region hosted the UN's premier climate summit, offering a powerful platform for nations like Papua New Guinea and low-lying island communities to highlight their vulnerability to environmental changes.
From Pacific Vision to Turkish Hosting
Australia's ambitious bid unravelled when Turkey, the other prospective host, refused to back down from its own hosting ambitions. The compromise eventually reached will see Turkey host COP31 in 2026 while Australia leads government negotiations during the conference.
Minister Tkatchenko delivered a scathing assessment of the entire COP process, questioning its effectiveness. "What has COP achieved over the years. Nothing," he stated. "It's just a talk fest and doesn't hold the big polluters accountable."
The Stark Reality for Pacific Communities
The consequences of climate inaction are already devastating for the Pacific region. About 320,000 people across the Pacific were displaced by climate-related disasters between 2008 and 2017, according to International Organisation for Migration data.
NASA projections indicate sea levels could rise by up to 15 centimetres over the next three decades, threatening the very existence of island communities. The image of Toruar Island, whose land mass is visibly decreasing due to rising seas, serves as a stark warning of what's at stake.
Despite the hosting setback, Prime Minister Albanese pledged to continue advocating for Pacific nations and keeping their climate struggles at the forefront of international discussions.
