Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting with Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman and army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya.

The meeting took place on Thursday, November 12, as Türkiye hosted international leaders for high-level climate negotiations and bilateral diplomatic consultations.

Official photographs from the summit showed the meeting taking place with the Turkish and Sudanese national flags displayed at the venue.

Anadolu Agency also confirmed the meeting in its video news coverage.

The latest engagement follows a series of high-level contacts between Ankara and Sudanese authorities as Sudan continues to confront the consequences of the conflict that began in April 2023.

While the meeting itself has been confirmed, neither government has yet released a detailed account of the discussions or announced new agreements resulting from the encounter.

Latest meeting follows June talks in Ankara

The Antalya engagement follows an earlier meeting between Erdoğan and al-Burhan at the Turkish Presidential Complex in Ankara on June 2, 2026.

According to a statement issued by Türkiye's Directorate of Communications at the time, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.

Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to efforts aimed at ending the bloodshed in Sudan.

The Turkish president also emphasized that Ankara intended to continue strengthening cooperation with Sudan in several sectors, particularly trade, agriculture, energy and defense.

The June meeting highlighted Türkiye's diplomatic and economic engagement with Sudan during a period of prolonged instability.

The latest talks in Antalya demonstrate that direct communication between the two leaders has continued throughout the year.

Sudan conflict remains a major regional challenge

Sudan has been experiencing a devastating conflict since April 15, 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The war has caused widespread displacement, damage to infrastructure and severe disruption of essential public services.

Türkiye has repeatedly expressed support for Sudan's sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity.

Ankara has also called for an end to the fighting and greater international efforts to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance.

During previous diplomatic engagements, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye would continue working toward an end to the conflict.

Sudan's ongoing crisis provides an important context for the latest meeting between the Turkish and Sudanese leaders.

However, no official statement has yet confirmed whether a new ceasefire initiative, mediation proposal or negotiation timetable was discussed or agreed upon in Antalya.

Defense and technical cooperation continue

Military and technical cooperation remains an established component of bilateral relations.

Earlier in November, a Turkish delegation representing the Naval Forces Command and the General Directorate of Shipyards visited Port Sudan Naval Base.

The mission focused on assessing repair workshops and slipway facilities as part of efforts to improve the Sudanese Navy's shipbuilding and maintenance capabilities.

Turkish Naval Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Erhan Aydın also revealed that approximately 200 Sudanese military personnel were receiving training in Türkiye.

These initiatives demonstrate ongoing cooperation in military education, naval engineering and technical capacity development.

Economic relations have also included Turkish business interest in Sudan's mining, energy and infrastructure sectors.

Nevertheless, no new defense procurement contract, military agreement or investment package has been announced as a result of the November 12 meeting.

Burhan highlights climate financing at COP31

Al-Burhan's bilateral meeting with Erdoğan followed his address to the COP31 Leaders' Summit on November 11.

In his speech, the Sudanese leader called for increased international support for countries facing the combined effects of conflict and climate change.

He said Sudan was experiencing growing risks from droughts, flooding, desertification, land degradation and water scarcity.

According to al-Burhan, the war has intensified these environmental challenges by damaging infrastructure and weakening national institutions.

He urged developed countries to double climate adaptation financing and ensure that vulnerable countries could access funding through fair and predictable mechanisms.

The Sudanese leader also highlighted the country's potential in solar energy, sustainable agriculture, water resource management and environmental restoration.

Al-Burhan thanked the Turkish government for hosting COP31 and supporting international climate discussions.

Türkiye maintains diplomatic engagement with Sudan

COP31 is being held in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026, with the leaders' summit taking place on November 11 and 12.

The conference has provided an opportunity for participating governments to hold bilateral meetings alongside discussions on climate financing, sustainable development and environmental resilience.

Erdoğan's meeting with al-Burhan represents another high-level contact between Türkiye and Sudan during a period of significant political, security and economic challenges.

The engagement also follows Ankara's continuing emphasis on diplomatic solutions, humanitarian support and economic cooperation with African partners.

No joint declaration or new bilateral agreement has yet been publicly announced following the Antalya meeting.

For now, the confirmed development is that Erdoğan and al-Burhan held direct talks during COP31, continuing a diplomatic relationship that has included discussions on Sudan's security, development and bilateral cooperation throughout 2026.