World leaders are preparing for a major climate peace summit in Egypt. To do so, their goal is to address protracted disputes and conflict and encourage increased discourse in the Middle East. Our digital advocacy summit taking place this week will feature these trailblazers. Look out for Emmanuel Macron, French President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkish President, and Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister. This meeting is more urgent than ever as the conflict in the region reaches new heights.
The summit’s agenda includes high-level, provocative exchanges about the most important geopolitical challenges facing the Middle East today. It puts unique focus on promoting peaceful coexistence efforts between Israel and Palestine. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will be fully engaged in helping to drive discussion among parties. He will be accompanied by Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of Arab League. Concrete action leaders such as Abdullah II of Jordan and Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah of Kuwait are crucial to making headway on these challenges. Their commitment to the region enhances our demand for regional collaboration.
Key Attendees and Their Roles
Aside from Macron, Erdoğan, and Starmer, many other distinguished world leaders will be present. Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, will participate in the conversation as well. Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, and Friedrich Merz, leader of the Germany opposition, should be among those helping. Their participation is a strong sign of the common European approach of all European nations to find resolution to long unresolved conflicts.
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, is expected to be there. Next to him is Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece. Each leader brings a unique perspective to the discussions, highlighting the diverse interests at play in international diplomacy.
Notable Absences and Statements
Iranian officials have made clear their hesitance to negotiate with select participants. Abbas Araghchi stated,
“Neither President Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian People and continue to threaten and sanction us.”
This feeling is emblematic of wider issues around inclusion and representation in peace talks and processes that seek to build a lasting peace.
Global leaders should be looking to this important summit. Everyone is hopeful as they try to carve out an avenue for peace and calm in a war-torn landscape. The results have the potential to lay a foundation for more collaboration and less friction, or increase discord and scrutiny.