Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, meeting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud and Turkmenistan’s People’s Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Türkiye is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference in the southern city from November 9-20. The Turkish Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Ministry says 102 leaders representing 95 countries and seven international organisations are expected to attend.
The summit is bringing together all 196 parties to the convention and the EU, with 37 heads of state and 35 heads of government among the participants.
Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Lula, who is in Antalya for the COP31 Leaders’ Summit, discussed bilateral relations and regional and global developments with Erdogan on Tuesday, the Communications Directorate said.
Erdogan said the two countries will mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 and would keep expanding ties, particularly in trade and the defence industry.
He added that both countries prioritise peace in their approach to international issues and stressed the importance of solidarity.
Bangladesh: PM Tarique Rahman
Talks with Rahman focused on Türkiye-Bangladesh relations and regional issues, the directorate said.
The Turkish president said both countries would benefit from expanding cooperation, particularly in trade and the defence industry.
He also said Ankara continues to keep the humanitarian situation in Cox’s Bazar, where some 1 million Rohingya live in refugee camps, in the international spotlight.
Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed Ali
Erdogan and Abiy discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, with Erdogan pledging to strengthen cooperation across various fields, particularly trade and investment.
He reaffirmed Ankara’s support for peace and stability in Ethiopia’s region. Erdogan also congratulated Abiy on Ethiopia’s preparations to host COP32 next year, following Türkiye’s presidency of this year’s summit.
Saudi Arabia: Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud
Erdogan met the Saudi energy minister separately on the sidelines of the conference. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar signed an agreement between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia during the meeting.
COP31 President and Environment Minister Murat Kurum, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Presidential Chief of Staff Hasan Dogan and Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also attended.
Turkmenistan: People’s Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov
Erdogan also met Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of Turkmenistan’s People’s Council, the Turkish Presidency said. The two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional and global developments. They stressed cooperation in energy, trade, defence and investment.
More leaders are arriving in Antalya as COP31 gets under way, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the latest to land on Tuesday at Erdogan’s invitation, the Azerbaijani presidency said.
Erdogan, who has already met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the leaders above, is expected to hold further talks as the strategic summit continues.
