International financial institutions, public authorities, the private sector and local governments discussed innovative solutions to finance climate change adaptation investments

Representatives from international development and finance institutions, public authorities, the private sector and local governments convened in Istanbul at the meeting titled “International Development and Finance Institutions’ Support and Innovative Solutions in Urban Climate Finance.”

The discussions focused on how to finance climate change adaptation investments, the development of innovative financing instruments with the support of international institutions, mobilizing private sector capital, and supporting adaptation investments through local funding mechanisms.

Opening remarks were delivered by Monica Merino, UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative; Maria Luisa Wyganowski, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye; Mehmet Yunus İnan, Head of Managing Authority Department at the Directorate of European Union and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change; and Mehrali Ecer, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Climate Change. In addition, Humberto López, World Bank Country Director for Türkiye, and Lin O’Grady, Head of Green Cities and Sustainable Infrastructure Group at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), were among the high-level speakers. 

Panel sessions highlighted risk reduction instruments provided by international finance institutions, mechanisms to enhance the role of the private sector in adaptation investments, and innovative local-level funding approaches. Contributions from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Industrial Development Bank of Türkiye (TSKB), Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye (TKYB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and ILBANK brought in diverse experiences and good practices. The programme concluded with a Q&A session and general reflections.

The event aimed to share international experiences on urban climate finance, promote good practices in local-level access to finance, and strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation for climate change adaptation in Türkiye.

The meeting was organized within the scope of the project “Enhancing Adaptation Action in Turkey,” co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, and implemented by UNDP Türkiye in cooperation with the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

Launched in 2019, the project aims to strengthen Türkiye’s capacity to adapt to climate change at sectoral and urban levels, enhance societal resilience, and provide decision-makers with the necessary tools. It supports the preparation of national and urban adaptation plans, capacity-building activities, and a grant programme designed to engage civil society organizations in climate action.