On 26 February 2015, the UNFCCC Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), hosted by UNEP and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), organized a Breakfast Dialogue in the UN House in Brussels on how to improve the collaboration with the European Commission (EC) on accelerating climate technology uptake in developing countries. Representatives from several Directorates from the EC were actively participating in this event which was led by the CTCN Director, Mr. Jukka Uosukainen.

The purpose of the meeting was to give an update on recent activities of CTCN and look into the future challenges and opportunities on the road to the Paris meeting on a new climate agreement later this year.

Mr. Uosukainen explained how the CTCN assists the developing countries in implementing climate technology through fast-track application for economic support, provides technology assistance and knowledge sharing with interested parties, and ensures that projects are fully based on a country-driven approach.

The EU is an important supporter of the CTCN, and both sides expressed their appreciation of the collaboration as well as their willingness to continue the cooperation, while underlining the need for a broader donor-base. It was also underlined that further efforts are needed to improve South-South cooperation, and the important role that the CTCN has to play here. Participants also agreed that it is important to make the CTCN better known, in order to encourage additional requests for assistance from interested countries, especially in Africa and Asia, while avoiding overlaps of parallel projects.

For more information: alexa.froger@unep.org