NATO leaders to gather in Ankara for major alliance summit
24.06.2026 - 15:40 | Last Updated:
Türkiye is preparing to host one of the largest diplomatic events in its history as leaders from all 32 NATO member nations, along with ministers, diplomats, and international representatives, convene in Ankara for the alliance’s 2026 summit.
Ankara is set to become the center of global diplomacy next month as Türkiye hosts the 36th NATO Summit, bringing together leaders from all 32 member states of the alliance as well as dozens of invited officials and international representatives.
The summit, scheduled for July 7-8, is expected to draw heads of state and government, nearly 100 ministers, senior diplomats, representatives from international organizations, and thousands of foreign delegates. Turkish authorities are also preparing for an unprecedented media presence, with nearly 3,000 journalists, television crews, photographers, digital media representatives, and international broadcasters applying for accreditation.
Security preparations are among the largest ever undertaken for an international event in Türkiye. Officials plan to deploy more than 56,000 security personnel, including over 48,800 police officers and nearly 7,500 members of the gendarmerie. An additional 639 cybercrime specialists will conduct round-the-clock digital monitoring operations aimed at protecting summit infrastructure and countering potential online threats.
To accommodate the influx of visiting delegations, three airports (Ankara Airport, Esenboğa Airport, and Mürted Air Base) will be used throughout the event.
The summit will follow NATO's standard organizational framework established by the alliance's secretariat. The main leaders' session will be conducted behind closed doors under NATO confidentiality rules, allowing member states to discuss security challenges and strategic priorities in a secure environment.
Media access will be limited. Journalists will only be permitted to capture brief opening footage before the meeting begins. During that initial session, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to deliver remarks outlining the summit agenda, key topics of discussion, and the alliance’s current priorities.
The gathering comes at a pivotal moment for NATO as member nations continue to address evolving security challenges, defense spending commitments, regional conflicts, and the alliance’s long-term strategic direction. Hosting the summit further reinforces Türkiye’s role as a key diplomatic and security player within the transatlantic alliance.
