News facts
Countries meet in Baku to strengthen cooperation, unlock financing, and accelerate climate technology deployment across the region.
What: National Designated Entities (NDE) Forum for Eastern Europe
When: 7-9 September 2026
Where: Baku, Azerbaijan
Organizers: UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MENR)
Held during: Baku Climate Week 2026
Climate officials from across Eastern Europe will gather in Baku for the first National Designated Entities (NDE) Forum for Eastern Europe, creating a regional platform to accelerate climate technology solutions and strengthen cooperation on climate action.
Organized by the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MENR_ and held during Baku Climate Week 2026, the Forum will bring together government representatives, international organizations, technology experts and development partners to exchange experiences, explore financing opportunities, and identify priorities for climate technology deployment in the region.
As countries work to deliver their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Forum will help strengthen partnerships, connect countries with technology expertise, and support the scaling of innovative solutions for climate resilience and emissions reduction across the region.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Umayra Taghiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Ariesta Ningrum, Director, Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)
- Ketevan Vardosanidze, Chair, CTCN Advisory Board
- Naciye Başak Tuncer, Environment and Urbanization Expert, Directorate of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Türkiye
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Notes for editors
Quotes
"COP29 demonstrated us the value of bringing countries together around common solutions. Therefore, we believe that, the First CTCN Eastern Europe NDE Regional Climate Technology Forum in Azerbaijan strengthens regional cooperation in order to achieve our climate commitments."
– Dr. Umayra Taghiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
"Eastern Europe has enormous potential to accelerate climate action through technology and innovation. The CTCN had a strong portfolio of technical assistance across the region in its early years, demonstrating both the demand for support and the value of regional collaboration. This Forum marks an important step in rebuilding that momentum."
– Ariesta Ningrum, Director, Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)
"As Chair of the CTCN Advisory Board and a representative of this region, I am proud that we are convening this first Eastern Europe NDE Forum. This is an important milestone that creates a dedicated platform for countries to learn from one another, strengthen regional partnerships and shape a shared vision for accelerating climate technology cooperation. The challenges we face are common, and so too are the opportunities to address them together."
– Ketevan Vardosanidze, Chair, CTCN Advisory Board
" As the incoming COP31 Presidency and as a country from this region, Türkiye believes that enhanced regional cooperation on climate technologies will be essential to achieving substantive climate outcomes. Forums of this nature serve to align national priorities with actionable solutions, strengthen regional partnerships, and create opportunities to mobilize the technologies, expertise, and investment needed to turn climate ambition into concrete implementation.”
– Naciye Başak Tuncer, Environment and Urbanization Expert, Directorate of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Türkiye
About the Climate Technology Centre and Network (UN CTCN)
The CTCN is the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low-carbon and climate-resilient development at the request of developing countries, drawing on a global Network of over 1,000 member organisations across 165 countries.
For inquiries or to request additional information/interviews, contact the UNEP News and Media Unit: UNEP Newsdesk Email: [email protected]