Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Pakistan’s Diplomacy Received Global Appreciation I
Dr. Syed Mehboob
Economic and Political Analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
Diplomacy is one of the most important and most difficult tasks in international relations. It is communication by representatives of state, intergovernmental, or non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international system. Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, which represents the broader goals and strategies that guide a state’s interactions with the rest of the world. International treaties, agreements, alliances, and other international manifestations of international relations are usually the result of diplomatic negotiations and processes.
Antalya International Diplomacy Forum is a highly representative and influential diplomatic forum based in Türkiye, striving for global peace, cooperation, and harmony, and has been functioning since 2021. During the forum, diplomats and academics shared ideas and views. The meeting brings together some 3,000 participants for up to three days to discuss global issues across several sessions. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) was founded by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu and is aimed at heads of state and government, foreign ministers, and high-ranking representatives of international organizations, as well as representatives from business, science, civil society, and the media.
At this forum, under the theme of “Recording Diplomacy,” senior politicians, diplomats, military and security experts from up to 75 countries participate to discuss the current issues in diplomacy and energy policies. The conference intends to address the main global issues and to debate and analyze the challenges in the present and the future in line with the concept of networked security. A focal point of the conference is the discussion and the exchange of views on the development of transatlantic relations as well as European and global security in the 21st century.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum presented a different Turkiye that is ambitious, yet seeks a respectable place in global politics with the help of more conciliatory steps. With this new diplomatic approach it called “the Antalya Initiative”, Turkiye would like to speed up compromises with all regional rivals in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. In recent years, Türkiye’s Asia Anew Initiative and Africa policy have brought it new diplomatic and trade opportunities, expanding Türkiye’s defense, trade, and cultural reach.
The 5th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, under the auspices of is His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took place on 17-19 April 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
In the face of geopolitical tensions, shifting balances of power, rising trade barriers, and mounting pressure on multilateralism, the current global landscape is marked by increasing unpredictability.
This year’s theme, “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” emphasizes the importance of anticipating and addressing emerging issues to be able to shape a better future. The theme underscores the need to stay ahead of future developments by identifying risks and opportunities, developing strategies, and turning insights into action. As conflicts remain unresolved, polarization grows, and strategic rivalries expand, numerous critical issues continue to affect people all over the world. In order to address these challenges and work towards a more inclusive, fair, and effective international system, the consolidation of international cooperation, dialogue, and solidarity is imperative.
ADF2026 brought together leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business experts, media, and civil society representatives to explore how to best manage uncertainties and address pressing issues while preparing for future challenges. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, as well as bilateral meetings, the participants discussed global trends and regional dynamics, exchanged views on possible solutions, and shared best practices.
The Forum once again provided a valuable platform for fostering dialogue, restoring trust, and engaging in stronger cooperation, mapping the path forward to a more peaceful, stable, and resilient world for future generations.
Pakistan emerged as the global leader and ambassador of peace and its recent efforts to bring Iran and the United States of America at table to negotiate, discuss and to move towards an agreement to pave the way for global pace and to save the world from horrible war and Himalayan economic loss which is going to wipe out most of the economic development achieved by many countries for decades.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shabaz Sharif was a center of attraction at the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye on 17th April 2026. On the sidelines of the forum, the prime minister held meetings with several world leaders and received appreciation for facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran and helping secure a ceasefire following weeks of war.
Participants of the 5th ADF meeting appreciated the role being played by Pakistan and wished it success. Diplomats appreciated Pakistan’s positive, sincere, and constructive role in promoting regional stability.
The prime minister held a series of informal but significant interactions with global leaders on the sidelines of the forum, reinforcing Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement on regional and international issues.
Among those he met were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He also held separate meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.
The meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere, with discussions focusing on evolving regional developments and avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and security sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz held a bilateral meeting with President Erdogan, where both leaders stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire between the United States and Iran to ensure lasting peace in the region.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior officials. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other officials were also present.
President Erdogan welcomed the prime minister and praised Pakistan’s peace efforts, reaffirming Turkiye’s support for Islamabad’s diplomatic initiatives. The prime minister thanked President Erdogan for his hospitality and congratulated him on the successful organization of the forum, which he said had become an important global platform for dialogue.
The two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, and emphasized the importance of utilizing the current window of opportunity to advance a durable peace. Reaffirming the longstanding and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, both sides expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to convene the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting in Ankara later this year. ( Continued)
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