President Nikos Christodoulides will travel to Antalya, Turkey, via Rhodes on Tuesday afternoon to attend the Leaders’ Summit of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) on November 11 and 12.
He will lead a Cypriot diplomatic delegation at the summit, which brings together world leaders to discuss international efforts to tackle climate change.
COP31 began on Monday, November 9, and will continue until November 20.
Climate action and energy transition on agenda
The conference focuses on strengthening international climate action, implementing the Paris Agreement and adapting to the effects of the climate crisis.
During the Leaders’ Summit, heads of state and government are expected to present their countries’ positions and commitments on climate action.
The agenda also includes discussions on the energy transition, climate finance and strengthening resilience against the effects of climate change.
Cyprus secured invitation following diplomatic efforts
Christodoulides’ participation carries particular diplomatic significance, following efforts by Nicosia to secure an official invitation to the summit.
A government source told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the Republic of Cyprus secured its invitation following systematic and coordinated diplomatic efforts, with substantial mobilisation by European institutions and EU member states.
The source stressed that coordinated EU pressure had been particularly important, with a common position that the full and equal participation of an EU member state in international processes cannot be questioned or subjected to unilateral restrictions.
Invitation dispute involving Turkey
The issue emerged following a report by Kathimerini tis Kyriakis, which claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had sent personal invitations to the leaders of the other 26 EU member states for the COP31 Leaders’ Summit.
According to the report, the move sought to exclude the Republic of Cyprus and President Christodoulides from the gathering.
Cyprus subsequently secured an official invitation following diplomatic efforts involving European institutions and EU member states.
Also read: COP31 opens in Antalya amid growing pressure for climate action
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