Antalya Diplomacy Forum Kicks Off In Turkey

Politicians, diplomats, opinion makers, and academics from around the world have gathered in Turkey to discuss global issues at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

The forum will start on Friday afternoon with an opening speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after an introductory speech of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Erdogan will also host a dinner for the participating heads of state on the first day of the gathering.

The forum will continue with various panel discussions through Sunday.

The event is being held at the NEST Congress and Exhibition Center in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya under the theme of "Innovative Diplomacy: New Era, New Approaches".

Debates of global importance, including the Balkans, the future of Europe, the trans-Atlantic relations, the refugees and migrants as well as the threats of terrorism, will be analyzed in depth during the three-day forum. There will also be a session on Turkey's proposal for the Eastern Mediterranean Conference.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, of which Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner, is hosting 10 heads of state and government, 42 foreign ministers, three former heads of state and government, and more than 50 representatives of international organizations or former government officials, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Cavusoglu said in a press conference on Wednesday that they "want a liberal discussion platform which can reflect different perspectives".

Special events and exhibitions

There will also be exhibitions during the forum, including the "diplomacy tunnel", about events and people that are cornerstones of diplomacy in the history of Turkey and the world.

In addition to the panels, the forum will host special guests, roundtable meetings and other activities.

The organizers planned to hold the first session of the forum in 2020 under the title of Digital Diplomacy, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it.

This year the forum will be held in full compliance with coronavirus measures.

Those participating will have to undergo PCR tests at their hotels before they can enter the conference hall to discuss regional peace and cooperation issues. -