EDB Participates in the 24th CTCN Advisory Board Meeting as Observer
Almaty, 14 November 2024. Conrad Albrecht, Managing Director and Head of the Directorate of Sustainability at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), participated at the 24th CTCN Advisory Board Meeting, marking the first time that the EDB joined the Meetings as an Observer Institution. CTCN is the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism under the guidance of, and accountable to the UN Conference of the Parties (COP). It has the mission to promote an accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development at the request of developing countries. The event provided an opportunity to engage with the inner circle of decision-makers, represented by a diverse set of National Designated Entities (NDEs) and with decision-influencers, conveyed by Observer Entities. This collaborative environment fostered rich and frank discussions aimed at enhancing climate technology support for developing countries, emphasizing the critical need for innovative solutions that are not only technically sound but also culturally and contextually relevant. By facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, the meeting underscored the necessity of aligning national priorities with global climate goals, emphasizing that effective technology deployment must be equitable and inclusive.
A central point of the discussions was the need for greater financial backing for the implementation of technical assistance projects within the Network. This support, particularly through grants and continued commitment, mobilization of financial aid from Annex I countries, is essential for the successful implementation of consolidated and innovative climate technological solutions in developing countries. According to Albrecht, “regions such as Central Asia, often underrated in the context of international climate finance support, can hold significant potential for decarbonization outcomes. The diverse array of project opportunities available in Central Asia can be effectively leveraged through CTCN’s expertise and advisory services, maximizing the impact of local-to-regional initiatives through tailored technical assistance and strategic direction”.
During the meeting, the EDB recognized the relevance of enhancing the participation and integrating Central Asian perspectives into the broader dialogue on climate technology. According to Albrecht, "the expected participation from Central Asian NDEs in the next meeting in 2025 will be a crucial opportunity to draw focused attention from Annex I countries to the decarbonization challenges and opportunities in Central Asia. The EDB, as the leading regional financier for the private sector, aims to provide a coordinated approach to support its member countries in effectively leveraging best-in-class technical assistance to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. By empowering local initiatives and fostering innovative solutions, the EDB is committed to driving sustainable development and climate resilience across the region, ensuring that no country will be left behind in the transition to a low-carbon future”.
In conjunction with the Advisory Board Meeting, the EDB held meetings with the CTCN Executive Management to discuss routes for improving the relevance of Central Asian countries as part of CTCNs TA exposure and to bring leading-edge climate solutions to the projects financed to the private sector in region by the Bank, those hard-to-abate sectors in particular. "Our high-level conversation reinforced the potential for multiple areas of collaboration, like Capacity Building for the Central Asian NDEs, and mainly with Technical Assistance for eligible projects from EDB’s pipeline with a bottom-up approach, backed by NDE’s interest and buy-in (projects in the private sector/PPPs that would be aligned with national priorities or interest for the country), the TA financed and co-financed by the Bank, CTCN and other MDBs and interested financiers”, underscored Conrad Albrecht.
The collaboration between EDB and CTCN is poised to enhance support for climate-sensitive projects across Central Asia, thereby contributing to regional decarbonization efforts. The planned next steps are the parties to enter a MoU agreement and a pilot project to kick-start the technical assistance relationship, and the bank hopes to facilitate greater access for CTCN and raise the profile of NDEs from the region.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For more than 18 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. The EDB's charter capital totals US $7 billion. Its portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The CTCN is the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism and promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development at the request of developing countries. The CTCN provides technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of individual countries by harnessing the expertise of a global network of technology companies and institutions.
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