Africa’s Top Leaders Gather in Türkiye for Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026

Türkiye will host the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026) in Antalya from April 17–19, bringing together global and African leaders to address rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties. The forum reflects Türkiye’s growing engagement with Africa and aims to strengthen dialogue, cooperation, and multilateral solutions to global challenges.

Türkiye will host the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026) in the southern city of Antalya from April 17 to 19, bringing together global leaders and policymakers for a three-day high-level diplomatic engagement organized by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The event is taking place at a period marked by heightened geopolitical tensions across different regions of the world, alongside increasing competition over critical sectors such as security, trade, and energy resources. These global realities have shaped the theme of this year’s forum, “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” which reflects both the complexity of current international dynamics and the urgent need for forward-looking strategies to address emerging global challenges.
The forum is expected to attract a wide array of senior state officials and decision-makers, including African heads of state, foreign ministers, deputy ministers, and representatives of multilateral institutions. It is designed to serve as a platform for dialogue, policy exchange, and collaborative problem-solving on key global issues affecting both developed and developing nations.
Sudan will be represented by the chairperson of its transitional council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, alongside Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem Ahmed Ibrahim. The country’s participation is particularly significant given its ongoing internal conflict, and it is seen as an opportunity to engage with international partners in pursuit of peace and stability. The Democratic Republic of Congo will also have a strong presence, with President Felix Tshisekedi confirming his attendance, while Azali Assoumani of Comoros is also expected to participate.
Somalia’s delegation will be led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and will include senior officials such as Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar. From North Africa, Libya will be represented by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, while Egypt has delegated Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Algeria will be represented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf.
West African participation will also be notable, with Nigeria represented by Defence Minister Christopher Musa. Sierra Leone will send Deputy Foreign Minister Francesc Paigie Alghali, while Ghana’s delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister James Gyakye Quayson. Liberia will be represented by Assistant Legal Affairs Minister Rosetta Nagbe Jackollie. The Gambia’s Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie and Guinea-Bissau’s Foreign Minister Joao Bernardo Vieira will also attend the forum.
The African Union will be represented by its chairperson, Evariste Ndayishimiye, who also serves as the President of Burundi and will play a central role in articulating the collective interests and perspectives of African nations during the discussions. Other African countries, including Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Principe, have also confirmed participation through senior officials such as ministers and deputy ministers.
In addition to national delegations, key continental and international organizations will also be present. These include the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), both of which are expected to contribute to discussions on economic development, trade integration, and agricultural sustainability.
Türkiye’s growing engagement with Africa forms a strategic backdrop to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Since declaring 2005 as the “Year of Africa,” Ankara has significantly expanded its diplomatic presence across the continent. At present, Türkiye operates 44 embassies in African countries, with plans to increase that number to 50 in the coming years. In a reciprocal development, 38 African countries now maintain diplomatic missions in Ankara, reflecting a strengthening of bilateral and multilateral relations.
This expanding relationship extends beyond diplomacy into multiple sectors, including trade, security cooperation, education, humanitarian assistance, and infrastructure development. The deepening partnership has been reinforced through high-level engagements such as the 5th Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum held in Istanbul in October 2025, as well as preparations for the 4th Türkiye–Africa Partnership Summit scheduled to take place later in 2026.
Türkiye has also increased its institutional footprint across Africa through various agencies and organizations. These include the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent, and the Maarif Foundation. These institutions play key roles in delivering development assistance, humanitarian aid, and educational support across African countries.
Beyond development cooperation, Türkiye has also taken on a role as a diplomatic mediator in conflict resolution across the continent. One notable example is its involvement in facilitating dialogue between Somalia and Ethiopia, which culminated in the Ankara Declaration in December 2024, highlighting Türkiye’s growing influence in regional peacebuilding efforts.
As Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to expand the country’s diplomatic outreach, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum serves as an important platform for engagement between Turkish leadership and their African counterparts. It provides an opportunity for leaders to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and develop coordinated responses to global uncertainties.
Through dialogue, cooperation, and multilateral engagement, the forum is expected to play a significant role in shaping discussions around the future of international relations, while reinforcing the importance of collective action in addressing the complex challenges facing the global community.