Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Turkiye on Tuesday, Nov 10, to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, where he is expected to hold important meetings with several world leaders, diplomatic sources said. The prime minister is scheduled to return on Nov 13.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with some senior federal ministers, will accompany him. During his stay in Antalya, Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the conference.
According to diplomatic sources, discussions are expected to cover important regional and international developments, particularly the ongoing Middle East conflict and Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the region. The prime minister is also likely to discuss matters of bilateral interest with other participating leaders.
The sources said no schedule had yet been announced for the participation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia, however, is actively involved in preparations for the conference.
Turkiye is hosting COP31 from Nov 9-20, with the Antalya Leaders' Summit scheduled for Nov 11 and 12. The conference will bring together heads of state and government, climate negotiators and representatives of international organisations to discuss climate finance, transition to clean energy and measures to address climate change.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host the world leaders' summit. Among the leaders expected to attend are British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The United States may not send an official government delegation, although members of Congress and US business representatives are expected to participate. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to skip the gathering, with India reportedly planning to send a ministerial-level representative instead.
The sources attributed the decision to New Delhi's strained relations with Ankara. Pakistan's newly appointed Ambassador to Turkiye, Amna Baloch, who has assumed her responsibilities in Ankara, will also be present in Antalya to oversee arrangements for the prime minister's visit, the sources added.
Furthermore, climate experts have emphasized the critical need for developing nations like Pakistan to voice their concerns effectively at such global forums. The country has faced severe climate vulnerabilities in recent years, making international financial support a vital agenda item for the prime minister's interactions.
Preparations at the venue in Antalya have reached their final stages, with Turkish authorities tightening security and protocol measures for arriving dignitaries. The Pakistani delegation is expected to brief media representatives upon arrival regarding the specific outcomes anticipated from the high-level diplomatic engagements.