A diplomatic deadlock over which country would preside over next year's critical UN climate conference has been resolved through an innovative and uncommon power-sharing arrangement. Turkey will host the COP31 summit, while Australia will lead the high-stakes negotiations, ending a tense standoff between the two nations.

The unique solution was announced during the ongoing COP30 talks in Belem, averting a scenario that would have seen the conference default to Bonn, Germany, the seat of the UN Climate Change Secretariat.

The impasse began when both Turkey and Australia formally bid to host the 2025 conference. Australia, which had positioned its bid as a "Pacific COP" in partnership with vulnerable island nations, emerged with overwhelming support from other countries. However, Turkey refused to withdraw its rival bid, creating a stalemate.

Under UN COP rules, a host must be selected by consensus, making Turkey's refusal to stand down a significant obstacle. With neither nation willing to concede, German State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth chaired crisis talks to broker a deal.

The resulting compromise grants each country a key role. Turkey will host the gathering of nearly 200 nations in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya. Australia, meanwhile, will hold the powerful presidency role, steering the complex negotiations and setting the agenda. As part of the agreement, Australia will also stage a pre-COP event in the Pacific region.

Jochen Flasbarth described the co-hosting proposal as "innovative" and told AFP he had not heard any opposition to the plan.

The two countries had presented contrasting visions for the summit. Australia emphasized regional threats, such as rising sea levels facing its Pacific island partners. Turkey, positioning itself as an emerging economy, argued it could bridge the gap between developed and developing nations, focusing on global solidarity.

Australian officials expressed a mix of resignation and triumph. A dejected Climate Minister Chris Bowen admitted on Wednesday, "Obviously, it would be great if Australia could have it all. But we can't have it all."

However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a more positive note, telling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "What we've come up with is a big win for both Australia and Turkey."