Australia hoped hosting a Cop climate summit was a done deal. But one nation still stands in the way

Despite a diplomatic push from Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese, Turkey won't back down on its bid to host Cop31

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Australia's plan to host a major UN climate summit in 2026 has hit a Turkish roadblock. It is unclear how long it will last.

The Albanese government had expected that its bid to co-host the Cop31 summit in partnership with Pacific island nations - a Labor promise since before it won power in 2022 - would be agreed by now, as the UN climate talks in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku approach their final stages.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email