OPINION - Antalya Diplomacy Forum: 'Intellectual platform in diplomacy'

The author is an Italian academic expert on Political Science and International Relations. She is the scientific director of the Observatory in Türkiye by CeSPI.

ISTANBUL

The gem of the Mediterranean, Türkiye resort city of Antalya is known for its scenic beauty and for being one of the busiest international tourist destinations. It also stands out for being a place of dialogue and diplomatic meetings. Thanks to its location at the center of the Mediterranean, which perfectly embodies the regional and international projection of Türkiye, for years Antalya has been the home of one of the most well-known international events, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF). Launched in 2021, year after year, ADF has established itself as a platform of dialogue and thought, where politicians, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, researchers, and academics convey to entangle contemporary international issues. After last year's break, due to the catastrophic February 6, 2023 earthquake hitting south-eastern Anatolia, on March 1-3 Antalya NEST Convention Center welcomed more than 20 heads of state, with their respective protocol crews, numerous international delegations, and a large number of experts who, both in public sessions and behind closed doors, have shed light on the crucial issues that diplomacy is called to hasten in this period of crisis, by attempting to find viable solutions.

'Advancing diplomacy in time of turmoils'

"Advancing diplomacy in time of turmoils" is indeed the theme of ADF 24 which, as was also reiterated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan, implies the direct involvement of Türkiye, as a central player in many regional and global dossiers. Thanks to its geographical position in fact, Ankara is proactively addressing the needs coming from the area, implementing constructive approaches aiming at guaranteeing peace and stability. As a stakeholder of the global order, Türkiye has always been active at any level, bilaterally and within multilateral diplomatic mechanisms, playing the role of stabilizer and connector of requests coming from different parts of the globe. It is this capacity and inclination to dialogue and mediation that makes Ankara a leading interlocutor, pivoting both on the traditional anchorage to international institutions and to its Western vocation, as well on the emotional feeling and shared values towards the Islamic and Turkic world, and on the important attention towards the Global South, very often forgotten or underestimated in the greatest international architecture.

'A fairer world is possible'

"The world is bigger than five" and "A fairer world is possible" are the motto reiterated by the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who in his opening speech underlined the continuous commitment to defending the oppressed and to finding solutions aiming at guaranteeing a fairer and a more just future in any side of the globe. However, regional contingencies inevitably lead to pushing for a solution to the war waged by Israel against Gaza, which despite public indignation and clear violations of international law, remains unpunished. Hence, the need to reform the international system, in which the United Nations (UN) and its organizations, first and foremost the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), must be rethought to guarantee greater and more equitable representation by reflecting the current distribution of power and therefore greater effectiveness in managing peace and stability. Upon this awareness and constant dedication, Türkiye arises as leading player in terms of soft power and public diplomacy. ADF is therefore a further proof of this. Already in 2022, on the sidelines of the public sessions, Türkiye had established itself on the international scene as the only actor capable of mediating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, an effort that has remained constant over time and which has also given some fruit, such as the creation of the Grain Corridor. Thus, it may not be a coincidence, that this year, in the framework of the same event, both the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and Ukrainian representatives arrived.

Even more noteworthy is that, in a historical moment in which Russia is substantially isolated at the international level, sanctioned and condemned by many for its aggression on Ukraine, Lavrov held a public talk, finding space to express Russian stances; ultimately, every diplomatic solution comes from dialogue and open communication channels. Among the many exceptional guests, in the solo talk format, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, reviled by many in Europe and the West, had a dedicated space where among other things, he endorsed the Turkish approach to creating "concrete responses that lead to peace" by referring as the "only country in Europe (together with Hungary) working for peace and not for war". With a large majority of African and Eurasian leaders, in Antalya, it became evident that globally there are needs and demands coming from what is labeled as "the global south", that the international community must take into account. Hence, there is a need to create responsive and inclusive regional and international mechanisms. Systematizing complementarities also in terms of connectivity and competitiveness becomes an imperative to fill gaps and narrow the margins of conflictuality. The urgency of adequate multilateral platforms coping with the shortcomings of the current Western order is what emerges in Antalya where Türkiye proves to be a functioning and effective smart power, capable of combining strength and military potential with the incisiveness of its soft power. In the hundred years of its Republic, Türkiye has grown exponentially, especially in the last two decades.

'Dreams come true and Türkiye can make them coming true'

The "diplomatic tunnel" of the next convention center, in an impressive play of colors and digital images, led spectators through a spectacular virtual journey of the last century of diplomatic relations and related successes. Fundamental goals have been achieved by leading Türkiye to establish itself as an emerging power and as an international point of reference. Today, there are all margins to think that this path will continue. "Dreams come true and Türkiye can make them come true", said Alper Gezeravcı, the first Turkish astronaut who recently took part in the mission Axiom 3. The development of national defense and of the aerospace sector, but also the awareness of the advantages and the disadvantages of artificial intelligence show the capacity and resilience of Turkish diplomacy, which is also based on policies aiming at empowering the most vulnerable categories, such as women, especially in contexts of crisis. Their role as promoters of peace and support for diplomacy becomes crucial, as does the increasingly active role played by young people. Therefore, facing an uncertain future and a present full of challenges, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum shows a unique attitude: a peculiar pro-activism, framed in a very hospitable environment, aiming to lay the foundations of a better and more inclusive world.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.