SYDNEY, Nov 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Papua New Guinea voiced disappointment Thursday after Australia backed down on a bid to co-host next year's UN climate talks with its Pacific island neighbours.

"We are all not happy. And disappointed it's ended up like this," Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told AFP after Australia ceded hosting rights to Turkey.

Australia had been pushing to host COP31 next year alongside its South Pacific neighbours, which are increasingly threatened by rising seas and climate-fuelled disasters.