BELEM, Brazil, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Turkey will host the COP31 climate summit in 2026 with Australia leading the negotiation process, a document released at the COP30 summit in Brazil showed on Friday, confirming an earlier announcement that a split hosting arrangement was expected. The statement was issued by Germany after a meeting of the Western European and Others Group, which was tasked with selecting the 2026 host. The deal, which resolved a lengthy standoff with both vying to host the U.N. climate talks, set out that Turkey will serve as the venue while delegating negotiating responsibilities to Australia. "If there is a difference of views between Türkiye (Turkey) and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction," the statement said. A pre-COP summit will be held in a Pacific Island country, and Australia will lead the year-long process that shapes the agenda and priorities ahead of COP31. (Reporting by William James; Editing by Himani Sarkar) ((william.james@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7513 4401;)) Keywords: CLIMATE COP30/COP31
