COP31 climate conference to be held in SA if Labor wins federal election, PM says

The South Australian business industry has welcomed news Adelaide is in the box seat to host a major global event if Labor wins the election. Have your say in our poll.

South Australia would be a frontrunner to host the COP31 climate change conference next year if Labor wins the federal election, the Prime Minister has revealed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Adelaide would be the perfect location for the global event, if Australia’s bid for the global conference was also successful.

The PM revealed today Adelaide would host the summit if Labor wins the election. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

The global event would be held at the Convention Centre, attracting 30,000 visitors and generating an economic benefit of more than $500 million.

“We do have the bid in. It will be determined at the climate change conference later this year, if we are re-elected,” Mr Albanese said.

“We will put forward our bid to host a climate change conference and I can’t think of anywhere better than Adelaide to host that event.

“One of the things that’s happened under Premier Malinauskas is Gather Round, is just one example. But WOMADelaide, the cycling, the range of activities that occur here, and festivals – he is putting Adelaide on the map as a global city.

“And when you look at the work that the Premier is doing in renewables leading Australia, as South Australia has for a long period of time, then I can’t think of anywhere better than South Australia.”

The COP – Conference of Parties – summit is a meeting of 197 nations, which is attended by heads of state, A-listers and climate change activists.

King Charles, Prince William, Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio have attended previous editions of the COP31, which is the leading climate change decision-making body of the United Nations.
The announcement comes on the back of another successful Gather Round, where more than 220,000 fans descended on the state, pumping up to $100 million into SA’s economy.

Premier Peter Malinauskas told reporters South Australia could handle big international events.

“We have demonstrated that we are capable of hosting not just events, but massive events,” he said.

“And there is no bigger event on the planet outside of the Olympics than COP.

So, for us to be able to have the opportunity to host it here in South Australia is something that we are very excited about indeed. It is a major economic opportunity for our state.”

South Australian Business Chamber chief executive Andrew Kay welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement.

“The Chamber has long been an advocate for bringing COP31 to Adelaide,” he said.

“The scale of this event and the diversity of leaders that it will bring to our state, will be a first for us. That will be a challenge given the tight lead time, but we have proven before that we can deliver when it counts”

“The investment in infrastructure, technology and people that will be required to deliver COP31, and what we learn from hosting a world conference of this scale, should create a legacy for South Australia to tackle bids for large global events in the future.”

Originally published as COP31 climate conference to be held in SA if Labor wins federal election, PM says