Bangladesh Prime Minister travels to Türkiye for COP31 climate summit in Antalya

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka on Tuesday morning for a three-day official visit to Türkiye to attend the COP31 World Leaders' Summit in Antalya. A Turkish Airlines flight carrying Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman and other entourage members departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:30 am.

The summit is scheduled for 11-12 November, and Rahman will deliver Bangladesh's statement at the plenary session on 12 November. COP, the annual United Nations climate summit, brings countries together to discuss collective action on climate change.

Rahman's entourage includes the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, two state ministers for foreign affairs, his Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, relevant officials, a media team and other distinguished individuals. Several senior officials were present at the airport to see him off.

Bilateral meetings are being arranged with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Australian Prime Minister, the President of Uzbekistan and the British Foreign Secretary. A meeting with the Administrator of the UN Development Programme is also being explored.

The talks are expected to cover bilateral relations, trade and investment, climate cooperation and other matters of mutual interest. Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said the engagements could open new opportunities to advance Bangladesh's economic and geopolitical interests.

Chowdhury said arrangements for sideline engagements were still being finalised. He acknowledged the possibility of a courtesy meeting with the Turkish President, during which overall cooperation between the two countries could be discussed.