Cypriot president and Turkish-Cypriot leader to attend COP31 summit in Antalya

The United Nations COP31 climate change summit, scheduled for November 11-12, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey, will feature the attendance of both Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. This event marks the first time in ten years that a Cypriot president has visited Turkey, with the last visit occurring in 2016 under then-president Nicos Anastasiades.

Media reports suggest that the initial exclusion of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey was reversed following diplomatic pressure from Nicosia and Brussels, leading the organizing committee to issue an invitation to President Christodoulides. Subsequently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended an invitation to Tufan Erhurman. While Turkish media have highlighted the historical significance of the visit, they have largely refrained from linking the event to potential progress in stalled reunification talks.

Erhurman confirmed receiving his invitation on July 14 and stated his intention to attend, advocating for diplomacy and dialogue. Local sources indicate that while the participation serves as a potential confidence-building measure, there is skepticism regarding whether the summit will lead to broader political breakthroughs, as the diplomatic struggle over the invitations underscores ongoing tensions regarding the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.