News facts
Regional Forum in Kazakhstan on 15 June will explore additional technology opportunities for public and private sectors in the region
Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are collaborating on climate change technology transfer through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). The CTCN provides free technology assistance and capacity building to countries through nationally selected focal points, called National Designated Entities (NDEs). In order to identify additional technology transfer opportunities on a broad range of sectors (agriculture, energy, industry, transport, etc.), a Regional Forum for NDEs in Central Asia and Eastern Europe will be held on the 15-16th June in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event is co-hosted by CTCN Network member, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), which connects the Central Asian sub region with global counterparts and maintains a dialogue on climate processes.
“The year 2015 marked the adoption of the Paris Agreement, which aims to unite the efforts of all countries worldwide to fight against climate change. Technology is an important part of this effort and the Climate Technology Centre and Network serves as a bridge to essential knowledge, technical assistance, and financing in order to reach climate and development objectives. National Designated Entities play a catalytic role in climate technology issues in their countries and they will utilize this Forum to identify new prospects for both the public and private sector”, says CTCN Director Jukka Uosukainen.
The second-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka, requested help from the CTCN to modernize its district heating system with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The project conducts city-wide mapping of the energy flow in the heating system and identifies leaks using an unmanned aerial drone equipped with a thermal camera. This project will save up to 20,000 tons of CO₂ each year and €4.5 million in heating costs.
Albania is developing, with the CTCN’s assistance, the first local-level plan for energy efficiency and achievement, and to provide training to enhance understanding of national energy plans among regional stakeholders.
Most developing countries and countries in economic transition need investments, technical assistance, capacity building and access to new technologies in order to transform current economic and industrial methods into more low-carbon and climate resilient development. This path often offers additional benefits of greater efficiency and cost savings as well.
The Regional Forum for National Designated Entities in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, taking place in Almaty, will open new opportunities for information exchange and capacity building on climate technologies, finance and technical assistance. The Forum is expected to bring leaders and experts from Central Asia and Eastern Europe, UNFCCC, Green Climate Fund, UNEP, FAO, Multilateral Development Banks and CAREC.