Russia's top diplomat to visit Türkiye for Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Türkiye on April 12 to take part in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the city of Antalya.

"On April 12, Sergey Lavrov will visit Türkiye at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye to participate in the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. During the event, the Russian Foreign Minister is scheduled to deliver a speech and hold bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts,” Zakharova said during a briefing, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The diplomat also stated that discussions are expected to focus on key issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East, North Africa, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea region, as well as current matters in relations with individual countries.

To recall, the 4th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 11–13 April 2025, under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This year’s theme, "Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World," addresses the urgent need for diplomacy to re-establish itself as a stabilising force amidst escalating global divisions. Geopolitical rifts, rising global inequalities, violence targeting civilians, intolerance towards differing views, technological disruptions, and the multifaceted impact of the climate crisis have all undermined global trust and disrupted the international order. The incapacity of the current global system to address these pressing challenges has exacerbated efforts for international cooperation.

In light of this heightened instability, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum seeks to critically assess the systemic issues facing the multilateral order. The Forum will facilitate discussions on how diplomacy can navigate the complexities of the current international landscape. It will bring together leaders, policymakers, scholars, business experts, and civil society representatives to explore ways in which diplomacy can adapt to overcome divisions and foster collective action.

By Khagan Isayev