COP31 IN SIGHT 2026 IN FOCUS: As the sun sets on COP29, already a row is brewing about who will host the U.N. climate talks in 2026. (Next year’s COP will be in Belém, Brazil.) ANKARA VS. THE AUSSIES: Turkey and Australia are vying for the gig, which, as usual, is likely to get caught up in geopolitical machinations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his bid to host the talks in his COP address last week — delivering a blow to Australia, which had hoped to get his regional grouping to back its bid. “We would like to in advance thank all the countries supporting our candidacy, and we are looking forward to receiving the support of many others,” Erdoğan told the plenary hall at COP last week. DOWN UNDER: Australia wants to host the 2026 gathering with the Pacific Islands, arguing it’s high time for a COP to take place in the Asia-Pacific. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly discussed the issue with Erdoğan at the G20 earlier this week, but Turkey is digging in. WINING AND DINING: Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas was in town this week, pitching his state as the best venue for the COP29 climate talks over a few glasses of Penfolds Shiraz in the Australian Pavilion. Though the Aussie federal government is running the bid to host the climate talks, it wants to hold them in Adelaide, on the south coast. Making his pitch: In an interview with POLITICO’s Karl Mathiesen, Malinauskas said it would be a “natural synergy” to host COP in South Australia, arguing that his state has “demonstrated commitment and delivery around decarbonization.” Reality check: He’s aware of Australia’s track record when it comes to fossil fuel extraction — it’s one of the biggest exporters of oil and gas in the world — but said COP would be “an unprecedented opportunity for Australia to recalibrate its position in global standing on decarbonization.” South Australia has dramatically ramped up its renewable energy generation in the last 20 years from zero to 80 percent, and is aiming for 100 percent by 2027. Laying the ground: Malinauskas insisted his state is primed for the logistical challenges that COP can bring — despite the fact Adelaide needs to work that bit harder given it doesn’t have the name recognition (or scale) of Sydney or Melbourne. KPMG is on board to advise. “To host major events of this size and caliber, you’ve got to demonstrate that you have the capacity to do so, everything from transport, to security to accommodation,” Malinauskas said. “You name it, we’re across it.” AZERBAIJAN DEFIANT THE OLD RELIABLE: Azerbaijan may have got its fair share of criticism over the past two weeks, but it hasn’t impacted its main revenue stream — fossil fuels. As POLITICO’s Gabriel Gavin reports, Baku struck a string of natural gas agreements during COP29. Deepening ties: President Ilham Aliyev clinched gas-related deals with Slovakia, Bulgaria and Serbia during the two-week gathering. But it’s not a new phenomenon. Baku has been helping Europe fill the energy gap after Russian gas imports became verboten following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signing a memorandum of understanding with Aliyev in 2022. Irony alert: As Gabriel writes, the deals could ultimately benefit Vladimir Putin. In order to increase its exports to Europe, Azerbaijan has dramatically upped its own fossil fuel imports from Russia. Some researchers suspect the country may be relabeling some imported Russian fuel and sending it along to Europe, though Azerbaijan insists the supplies are merely for domestic use. Either way, Moscow wins. TIT FOR TAT: After Paris summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador, Baku called in the French envoy, accusing his country of encouraging “several heads of state to refrain from attending” COP and adopting “a resolution that unfairly criticized the presidency.” Baku also accused Paris of arming Armenia, in a deepening of tensions between France and Azerbaijan. LAST DAY TIPS AROUND BAKU STADIUM: Most of the pavilions are shutting up shop today, but there’s still some activity, with numerous press conferences scheduled this morning (details below). Deloitte hosts its morning “Coffee and COP” event at 10 a.m. in its swanky Green Zone pavilion. FEELIN’ FRUITY: Had one too many baklava or shekerbura over the past two weeks? Stock up on some healthy food for the night ahead. The German delegation office gets full marks for offering fresh apples at its front desk. Though fresh fruit is hard to come by, De Rama in the food court has a great selection, plus juice. THE HARD SELL: Maybe Azerbaijan has made a life-changing impression on you, or perhaps you fancy a bolt-hole on the Caspian? A luxury lifestyle awaits. Real estate companies have taken a number of pavilions in the Green Zone, advertising new apartments for sale in Baku Port, complete with swimming pools, underground car parks and spacious concierge services. Who might these marketers may be targeting? Here’s a clue: The website’s in Russian. SHUTTLE UPDATE: COP organizers announced Thursday that shuttle services will stop at 10 p.m. tonight, except those serving Seabreeze. After that, it’s back to taxis and public transport (though many delegates have experienced difficulties booking BOLT rides with international credit cards). Top tip: Don’t leave Azerbaijan without trying the metro. Dating from the Soviet period, the stations boast intricate interiors and are squeaky clean. Free with COP delegation pass. Going to the airport? The shuttle buses to and from Baku Stadium have been pretty reliable throughout the week, but one Global Playbook reader wrote in to say the airport bus was a different experience. Rather than going directly to the airport, the shuttle heads into town, and in this instance, passengers had to wait for a change of driver. Best to check with those green-coat officials before you get the bus. AGENDA All times are local. Full agenda here. — Center for International Environmental Law: Negotiations update; Natavan; 9 a.m. — Earth Island Institute press conference; Natavan Room; 9:30 a.m. — World Wildlife Fund press conference; Natavan Room; 10 a.m. — Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice; Natavan Room; 10:30 a.m. — BTR clinics: ETF reporting tools; Special Events Room — Buta; 10:30 a.m. — 350.org press conference; Natavan Room; 11 a.m. — CAN International press conference; Natavan Room; 11:30 a.m. — Friends of the Earth press conference; Natavan Room; 12:30 p.m. — Earthworks press conference; Natavan Room; 1 p.m. — Greenpeace press conference; Natavan Room; 2:30 p.m. — Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States on state of COP29 negotiations; Karabakh Room; 3 p.m. — AOSED: Climate Vulnerabilities: Intensify Floods in Bangladesh; Natavan Room; 3:30 p.m. — IGSSS India press conference; Natavan Room, 5 p.m. — COP29: What was achieved and what comes next?; McKinsey, link here; 7 p.m. THANKS TO: Karl Mathiesen, Sara Schonhardt, Zack Colman and Zia Weise. Global Playbook couldn’t happen without Global Playbook editor Zoya Sheftalovich. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Global Playbook will be back with a final COP edition next week.
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