Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, has publicly rebuked Türkiye’s push to host the upcoming global climate summit, accusing Ankara of advancing its “own agenda” after Australia withdrew from the competitive bid.

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced the withdrawal on Thursday, stepping aside in order to avert a collapse in negotiations that might have forced the event to default to Bonn, Germany.

Tkatchenko expressed sharp criticism of Türkiye’s strategy, stating: “What is Türkiye doing to reduce climate change?

They are only making it worse,” and added that the country “was adamant they were going to host it by hook or by crook.” He said that the Pacific had hoped the summit would travel to the region and shine a spotlight on the plight of island nations vulnerable to rising seas and climate disasters.

From Canberra’s perspective, the withdrawal represents a strategic pivot.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said that Australia would act as the global negotiator on climate policy, while pre-conference events would take place in the Pacific, maintaining regional engagement despite Australia not hosting.

Prime Minister Albanese described the outcome as “a big win” for Australia’s standing and its ability to prioritise Pacific concerns.

Within Australia, reactions are mixed.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas expressed disappointment that Adelaide will no longer host the summit, decrying what he characterised as an “obscene” process in the international decision-making system.

Domestic opposition also criticised the federal government’s cost-benefit approach to the hosting bid.

For the Pacific region, the hosting issue carried deeper symbolism.

Many island states had backed Australia’s bid, hoping for the summit to spotlight their disproportionate exposure to climate threats.

Russia-era precedent shows that hosting rights can influence agenda-setting power at global climate talks, making the site of the summit more than a logistical detail.

The result leaves Türkiye positioned to host the 2026 Conference of the Parties (COP31) climate summit in the Mediterranean resort of Antalya, according to informed announcements.

Australia’s decision to relinquish the bid also clears the path for the country to maintain a prominent role in global climate diplomacy, without bearing full hosting responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Pacific nations await assurance that their voices will remain central to the event’s architecture.

Papua New Guinea’s expressed frustration underscores the challenges of aligning global climate diplomacy with regional fairness and climate justice.

The dispute now raises questions about how the Pacific will be substantively included in the summit and whether the hosting shift will weaken the region’s leverage on climate finance and adaptation priorities.