“It’s the right year for us to bid,I’m looking forward to talking to international colleagues about Australia’s bid,about what we can bring to the table as a host of the world’s biggest trade fair,as a host of COP in 2026,” Bowen said in western Sydney on Saturday morning.
“It’s an opportunity to work closely with our Pacific family,and we will seek to co-host the bid with the Pacific to help elevate the case of the Pacific for more climate action.”
He said 2024 was “Eastern Europe’s year.”
“Given the geopolitical situation,we considered whether it wouldn’t be a good idea for Australia to host that,” he said,adding the government also wanted “many years to prepare and provide the best COP possible”.
Bowen also announced Kristin Tilley,who has over a decade of experience with climate change policy,would be appointed to the role of the Ambassador for Climate Change,to work with other countries to tackle the crisis.
“This is an opportunity,of course,for Australia to remind the world that we’re back. We’re back at the international table,” Bowen said.
Australia has lagged developed countries on its climate action,with the former government of Scott Morrison resisting pressure to set more ambitious carbon emission targets at last year’s Glasgow climate summit.