COP31: Australia and the Pacific’s moment for climate action

A COP (Conference of the Parties) is an annual global summit where countries negotiate actions to tackle climate change under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).

COP31 refers to the 31st Conference of the Parties. The numbering started with COP1 in 1995, which was the first official meeting of the parties after the UNFCCC came into force in 1994.

They help set global climate policies, encourage emissions reductions, and foster collaboration on climate solutions.

Adopted at COP21 in 2015, it commits 195 countries to limit global warming to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to 1.5°C.

Representatives from almost every country, along with NGOs, businesses, scientists, and activists—sometimes exceeding 80,000 participants.

Countries negotiate climate policies, pledge commitments, and collaborate on strategies to reduce emissions and support vulnerable communities. Non-state actors advocate on their priorities, hold governments to account, secure funding for their work and generate awareness for climate action in their communities.

COPs are hosted in a different country each year and are organised within the five regional groupings of the United Nations: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and Western Europe and Others. Within their respective grouping, countries bid to host future COPs, and if the bid is approved, that country assumes the COP Presidency for an entire year.

As President of Negotiations, Australia has an important opportunity to help countries reach agreement and deliver strong outcomes at COP31. Working alongside Pacific nations will be critical to making real progress.

While travel emissions are a factor, COPs drive global climate agreements that result in long-term emissions reductions. Hosts, including Australia, can minimise the carbon footprint by using renewable energy and promoting sustainable transport.

Türkiye will host COP31, including the world leaders’ summit.

Australia will serve as the “President of Negotiations”. The COP31 President (from Türkiye) will delegate the task of leading the negotiations to Australia from the conclusion of COP30 in Brasil to the end of COP31.

They lead the negotiations agenda at COP31, convene consultations through the year, select ministerial and other co‑facilitators, produce draft texts, and act as the focal point with the UNFCCC on negotiations.

The Pacific Pre-COP was held in Fiji from 5–8 October, bringing together around 4,000 people from more than 100 countries ahead of COP31. It put Pacific priorities at the centre of the global climate agenda, with a focus on keeping 1.5°C within reach, strengthening climate resilience, unlocking climate finance and elevating the role of the ocean.

A key outcome was the Taku Pakasoa Declaration, a Pacific-led call for stronger climate action, resilience, finance and Pacific leadership, alongside new international commitments to the Pacific Resilience Facility.