Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026)

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 H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took place from 17 to 19 April 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.

Under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” the Forum emphasized the importance of anticipating emerging global challenges, identifying risks and opportunities, and translating foresight into concrete action. ADF2026 once again served as a high-level platform bringing together Heads of State and Government, ministers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, media representatives, and civil society to exchange views on global trends, regional dynamics, and pathways toward enhanced cooperation.

The Forum also provided an important opportunity for engagement in the context of preparations for the **77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) **, which will be held in Antalya from 5 to 9 October 2026.

In the margins of the Forum, the IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger held high-level exchanges with H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and H.E. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. These interactions took place in a spirit of continuity and recognition of long-standing cooperation, recalling that the IAC 2023 was successfully hosted in Baku under the patronage of President Aliyev, who officially inaugurated the Congress.

In parallel, discussions were held with H.E. Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye. The exchange highlighted the importance of inclusivity and diversity in global space engagement, particularly in advancing initiatives that encourage broader participation of youth and women in science, technology, and innovation.

A particularly important meeting took place with H.E. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology of Türkiye, together with representatives of the local IAC 2026 Organizing Committee. The discussions focused on the current state of preparations for the Congress, with both sides reaffirming their strong commitment to ensuring the successful delivery of the 77th IAC. The exchange reflected a shared understanding of the strategic importance of the Congress as a global platform for space dialogue, cooperation, and innovation.