Libya, Sudan Leaders Pledge Unity Support at COP31
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met Sudanese Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on the sidelines of the UN climate conference.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in International Relations
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in person on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). Dbeibah reaffirmed Libya's support for Sudan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Why it matters
Dbeibah rejected attempts to divide Sudan or undermine its national institutions and called for intensified regional and international efforts to secure a ceasefire. The leaders also discussed bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and border security coordination between the two neighboring countries.
The meeting took place in person on Thursday, November 12, 2026, on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference. No formal agreements or vote counts were reported from the talks.
The players
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah
Dbeibah is Prime Minister of Libya's Government of National Unity, a Tripoli-based administration that has competed for authority over the country since 2021.
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Al-Burhan is Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council and the commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, leading the country's military side in its ongoing war.
The details
The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and border security coordination. Dbeibah urged intensified regional and international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Sudan's ongoing conflict.
Timeline
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Dbeibah and al-Burhan meet on the sidelines of COP31.
Season Trajectory
The meeting shows how the UN climate conference serves as a venue for bilateral diplomacy beyond its formal climate agenda. It places Libya and Sudan's regional security talks alongside the broader UN-hosted multilateral calendar.
For readers following Sudan's war, the meeting signals continued regional diplomatic engagement on a ceasefire but produces no immediate policy change. Readers tracking Libya-Sudan border and trade ties should watch for any follow-up agreements, though none were announced.
The takeaway
Regional leaders are using international climate forums to pursue direct bilateral talks on conflict and cooperation. Watch for any concrete ceasefire or trade commitments that follow these exchanges.
Further reading
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