Türkiye's strategic partnership key to tackling climate crisis in Europe and Central Asia, says UN official

UN agencies have long been warning about the consequences of climate-change-induced rising temperatures, an issue that experts warn will severely affect Europe and Central Asia.

According to Ivana Zivkovic, UN assistant secretary-general, rising global temperatures are at the forefront in terms of pressing climate in this region challenges.

"The main issue in the region of Europe and Central Asia is the rising of global temperatures. And unfortunately, this region is even ahead of some regions in the world in this terrible problem," she cautioned, stressing the increasing risk of disasters like forest fires and droughts.

Zivkovic, who also serves as assistant administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) of the UN Development Program (UNDP), was speaking at an event in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul, where she underscored Türkiye's crucial role driving regional cooperation for climate action.

Emphasizing Ankara's importance as a strategic partner for the UNDP in the region, Zivkovic highlighted Türkiye's experience in managing climate-related challenges, which she said offers lessons for other countries in nearby regions, such as the Western Balkans and CIS states.

"We are very proud of the partnership with the government of Türkiye which is hosting our Istanbul Regional Hub. And for that reason, we also are a convening place for many international events that are happening here."

- Gender equality 'very much present' in climate issues

Zivkovic also stressed the need to prioritize gender equality in the fight against rising global temperatures in Europe and Central Asia, the focus of the two-day event that ended Friday, co-hosted by the UNDP and OECD in partnership with the Government of Türkiye.

On the UNDP's role in promoting a just transition to greener economies while reducing gender inequality, Zivkovic underscored the agency's commitment to integrating gender issues into all climate-related efforts.

"Within all that UNDP does, the gender equality and the equality between men and women is very much present," she said.

Zivkovic also highlighted the need for women's economic empowerment, particularly in sectors, where they remain underrepresented, like energy, but where their involvement has proven to lead to more climate-focused and risk-mitigating decisions.

She also discussed how the UNDP and its partners, including in the private sector, are working to help countries in Europe and Central Asia meet their nationally determined contributions (NDC) and achieve more ambitious climate goals.

"At the moment, we are supporting governments to prepare the NDCs in view of COP," she said, referring to the upcoming UN climate conference set to take place on Nov. 11-22 in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.

"This is also a good opportunity to shine the light on what the region of Europe and Central Asia does and what are the priorities going forward."

COP29, the 29th annual UN Climate Change Conference, will bring together world leaders, negotiators, and environmental experts to assess progress in combating climate change and advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 C within reach.

Discussions will focus on enhancing countries' NDCs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote climate adaptation, and ensure a just transition to low-carbon economies with an emphasis on equity, gender inclusion, and support for vulnerable nations.