Reaction to Minister Bowen's Press Conference on COP31 Updates

19 November 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Belém, Brazil — Discussions within the Western European and Others Group remain underway as countries work to resolve the question of who will preside over COP31. Australia has put forward a proposal that includes a shared model designed to elevate Pacific perspectives, though consensus on the presidency has not yet been confirmed.

Pacific Island countries have continued to advocate for an approach that brings global climate negotiations closer to frontline communities, but the process remains open as talks continue in Belém.

Dr Sindra Sharma, International Policy Lead at the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network says,

“As negotiations between Türkiye and Australia continue, the decision on the COP31 presidency in no way shifts the global responsibility to deliver on the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. There is no safe ‘overshoot’ and every increment of warming is a failure to current and future generations.

At the same time, we cannot afford to lose focus. We are in the final hours of COP30 and the outcomes we secure here will set the foundation for COP31. We need to stay locked in and ensure this COP delivers the ambition and justice frontline communities deserve.”

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About PICAN

PICAN is a regional alliance of 260+ non-government organisations, civil society organisations, social movements and not-for-profit organisations from the Pacific Islands region working on various aspects of climate change, disaster risk and response, and sustainable development.

Media Contact:

Dylan Kava, Strategic Communications Lead, PICAN

dylan.kava@pican.org | +679 9061989 (Belém / GMT-3)