Antalya:The two-day Leaders' Summit, part of the UN Climate Change Conference COP31, commenced in Antalya, Trkiye, on Wednesday. President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, arrived at the summit venue shortly before 1100 local time, where he was welcomed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Notably, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was absent from the welcoming ceremony despite protocol.

According to Cyprus News Agency, after a handshake, Guterres and Christodoulides posed for photographs at the entrance of the Antalya Expo Center conference venue and engaged in a brief conversation. The arrival of heads of state and government is ongoing, with a family photograph scheduled to occur later, preceding the official opening ceremony and remarks by the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish President, who is hosting the Summit.

Earlier, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman arrived at the Summit and was welcomed by the Turkish President before the UN Secretary-General reached the reception area. President Christodoulides is expected to address participants later today.