Cyprus secures invitation to UN climate conference after diplomatic efforts

The Republic of Cyprus has successfully secured an official invitation to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026. This development follows weeks of diplomatic tension, as reports indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan initially attempted to exclude Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides by sending invitations to the leaders of 26 other European Union member states while deliberately omitting Cyprus.

Following the exclusion attempt, Nicosia, in coordination with Brussels and various European institutions, undertook systematic diplomatic efforts to uphold the principle of equal participation for all EU member states. These efforts successfully pressured the Turkish organizing committee to include Cyprus. Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed that the invitation was received on October 10, emphasizing that Turkey's attempt to unilaterally restrict an EU member's participation violated international norms.

This diplomatic dispute occurred against a backdrop of ongoing friction regarding Cyprus's involvement in international processes, including a previous incident in March 2026 where Cypriot officials were reportedly sidelined during a UN briefing in New York. The focus in Nicosia has since shifted toward domestic diplomatic initiatives, including upcoming meetings between President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leadership, as the government continues to push for a viable resolution to the Cyprus issue.