Istanbul:The 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference is set to take place on October 23-24, under the auspices of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The event will commence with video messages from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, followed by opening remarks by Fidan.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the conference will be held under the theme "Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace Mediation in a Changing World." It will gather ministerial-level participants, secretaries-general, and senior representatives from international organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Nearly 200 senior officials, experts, diplomats, academics, and think tank representatives specializing in mediation and conflict resolution from various regions are expected to attend the event. The conference aims to connect political vision with practical experience through numerous reflective panels, translating reflection into forward-looking ideas for cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Fidan is anticipated to emphasize the importance of diplomacy and effective mediation mechanisms amid increasingly complex disputes and evolving conflict dynamics. He is also expected to highlight Turkey's efforts to promote peaceful resolution of disputes and foster dialogue across regions such as the Black Sea, South Caucasus, Middle East, Horn of Africa, and the Balkans.

First held in 2012, the Istanbul Mediation Conferences have served as a high-level platform for Turkish and international experts to exchange knowledge and experience in mediation, explore new approaches, and assess the role of mediation in the evolving international peace and security landscape.