Turkey is ramping up its bid to position itself as a hub for ‘peace diplomacy’ by hosting a series of major international summits in 2026.
These high-level gatherings are expected to bring together global leaders, diplomats and policymakers to address pressing challenges ranging from security and conflict resolution to climate change and economic co-operation.
Stronger NATO
From July 7 to 8, Turkey is set to headline the annual North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Leaders’ Summit at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
Launched in December 1957 in Paris, France, the summit aims to set the alliance’s defence strategy, policies and decision-making in response to ongoing security threats faced by its 32 member countries and their neighbours.
“Turkey has been a strong NATO ally for more than 70 years, making invaluable contributions to our shared security,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The upcoming summit in Ankara will “continue to make NATO a stronger, fairer and more lethal Alliance, ready to respond to the critical challenges to our security”, Rutte added.
This is the second time Turkey has hosted a NATO summit, with the first one held in Istanbul in June 2004.
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Inclusive COP31
The resort city of Antalya will host another major global summit – the Conference of the Parties 2026 (COP31), in November.
Turkey’s COP31 bid promises a more inclusive forum that will tackle climate issues from all over the world.
It emphasises solidarity and multilateral co-operation between rich and developing nations.
During the summit, Turkey aims to showcase its fight against the global climate crisis through its Zero Waste Project initiative.
“We hope our decision will be good for all relevant parties, our region and the global climate fight,” Turkey’s Climate Minister Murat Kurum said in a November statement.
Turkey will share the hosting rights with Australia, which will preside over the climate talks.
“Australia and Turkey turned their common pain into co-operation and an instrument to serve humanity,” said Kurum.
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Turkic solidarity
Turkey will also host the 13th edition of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit, aimed at strengthening the unity of Turkic states through regional co-operation.
Established in October 2009 as the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, OTS currently operates across five regional political centres in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Although detailed agendas have not been officially published yet, this year’s summit is projected to tackle strategic co-operation, cultural initiatives and economic integration through OTS+ framework expansion.
It is also expected to boost the international diplomatic recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is currently being contested by the European Union and the United Nations Security Council.
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