The second day of the Antalya diplomatic forum 2026, which brings together the world's diplomatic elite for the fifth time, will address topics ranging from economic development to artificial intelligence to the wars we are witnessing today and their impact on the entire world.
Connectivity shapes a nation's economic development and stability as global trade routes and infrastructure projects redefine regional ties. To unlock the full potential of these projects, technical, legal and investment challenges must be addressed through multilateral cooperation. As part of the broader objective of “mapping tomorrow”, the forum participants will explore new opportunities in connectivity, showing how strengthened regional networks can manage uncertainties while promoting development, stability and resilience of participating countries.
Security in Europe is at a critical juncture ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara. The war in Ukraine, uncertainty over the continued US involvement and the EU's ambitions for strategic autonomy have intensified debates on deterrence, burden-sharing and collective defence. Emerging areas such as cybersecurity and hybrid threats, alongside more conventional challenges, further highlight the complexity of the current moment. As NATO leaders prepare to gather in Ankara, the summit is particularly important in mapping out the prospects for European security tomorrow and strengthening the Alliance’s role in strengthening collective defence.
We live in an era of deep geopolitical tensions and growing uncertainty, where climate action risks being overshadowed by short-term security and economic concerns. Yet the impacts of climate change are intensifying globally, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and undermining sustainable development. The UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement have provided the essential global framework for action, with implementation being the central challenge in today’s world. The Turkey-Australia cooperation modality for COP31 will offer a unique opportunity to accelerate implementation and restore trust in multilateral climate governance.
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping global power and redefining sovereignty. Control over data, algorithms, and digital infrastructure now impacts international politics as profoundly as territory or military power. In this technopolar world, states seek to secure digital autonomy while grappling with new forms of competition and dependence. Forum participants will examine how technological change is transforming diplomacy, strategic agency, and global governance, and consider how states can manage uncertainties in a technopolar world while mapping the geopolitical landscape of tomorrow.
The disruption of access to education in Palestine directly affects not only individual development, but also societal resilience, economic recovery, and the building of lasting peace. For children bearing the scars of war, restoring safe learning environments, strengthening psychosocial support mechanisms, and ensuring continuity in education emerge as priorities for Palestine’s future.
Cooperation, connectivity, and prosperity are key drivers for advancing peace and stability in the Balkans. Regional dialogue, infrastructure projects, energy security, and defense cooperation provide tangible avenues to improve people-to-people connections across borders, foster economic resilience, and foster regional responsibility by strengthening trust. By transforming challenges into shared opportunities, these initiatives help the region manage uncertainties and shape a more predictable future. Panelists will explore how dialogue, business, and connectivity can enhance regional cooperation while planning for a peaceful and prosperous Balkans tomorrow.
The Middle East is at the heart of world politics, where regional dynamics both shape and are shaped by broader global transformations. In the current era of global instability, international politics is marked by uncertainties in the political, economic and diplomatic spheres. These crises converge in the Middle East with particular intensity, as the region faces military conflicts, humanitarian challenges, forced displacement, food insecurity and other disruptions.
In an era of deepening geopolitical uncertainty, Europe faces increasing structural and competitive pressures. Recent assessments highlight widening gaps in productivity, innovation and technological leadership, while global trade is increasingly shaped by security-oriented industrial policies, the reconfiguration of supply chains and strategic rivalry. Competitiveness must therefore be redefined through sustainability, strategic autonomy, energy security and reliable partnerships. Panelists will examine how Europe can strengthen its economic position by deepening regional cooperation, broadening its economic outlook, and strengthening cooperation with key partners on the continent.