Bangladesh has confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the COP31 World Leaders Summit on 11–12 November in Antalya, a key step in the planning for the high-level segment of the United Nations climate conference. The confirmation was conveyed on 18 October 2026 by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Şen at her office in Dhaka, according to a TBS News/UNB wire report.
FAKTA
- Confirmed on: 18 October 2026, in a meeting at the state minister’s office in Dhaka with Turkish Ambassador Ramis Şen.
- What was confirmed: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s participation in the COP31 World Leaders’ Summit on 11–12 November in Antalya.
- The conference: Türkiye hosts COP31 — the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — scheduled for 9–20 November in Antalya.
- Bilateral hopes: Shama Obaed Islam said she hoped the two countries’ leaders could hold a bilateral meeting on the summit’s sidelines, and emphasised deepening Bangladesh–Türkiye cooperation on climate change and sustainable development.
- Hosting arrangement: Türkiye hosts COP31 under an arrangement with Australia, which is designated “President of Negotiations.”
From possible to confirmed
Earlier reports from August–September 2026 discussed only possible participation. On 27 September, Bangladesh and Türkiye raised possible participation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan “but did not mention any decision,” according to TBS/BSS reporting, while a 28 August report in thedailyexpress also treated attendance as unconfirmed. The 18 October announcement moves the matter from speculation to confirmation.
During the meeting, Shama Obaed Islam congratulated Türkiye on hosting COP31, while Ambassador Şen briefed her on Türkiye’s preparations for the conference.
The COP31 World Leaders Summit and its purpose
The COP31 Presidency convenes the World Leaders’ Summit in Antalya during the early days of the conference to give leaders an opportunity “to announce new, concrete, and implementable climate commitments and to launch initiatives that address key gaps and will support positive outcomes in the negotiations,” according to the presidency. The summit sets the political tone for the two weeks of talks that follow.
What to watch next
The next question is whether a formal bilateral meeting between the two countries’ leaders is announced on the summit’s sidelines. For context on what COP31 could mean for vulnerable communities, see our earlier report on local climate solutions at COP31.
