Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is in the box seat to become the next United Nations climate chief, industry figures say, as government officials become increasingly confident Australia will secure the rights to host a major global climate summit in Adelaide in 2026.

Departmental officials have been making preparations since at least January for Australia to host the 31st United Nations Conference of the Parties climate summit, in anticipation that the government’s bid will be successful. The one other bidder, Turkey, is yet to withdraw its bid.