On May 25-27, UNDP held a series of trainings on climate diplomacy for the national delegation of Tajikistan to build the country’s capacity at climate diplomacy as preparation to the Conference of Parties (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, U.K. later this year, according to UNDP Tajikistan.

“The Conference of the Parties in the UK this November is a milestone event that is expected to address priorities of the global climate policy and clarify the mechanisms of implementation of the Paris Agreement. It is hence important – even critical – for countries’ delegates to be fully prepared with a solid evidence base and that their knowledge and skills are sharpened in issues like global climate change policy, mechanisms and Climate Diplomacy.  This will help better prepare for the climate negotiation process at COP-26,” – highlighted Mr. Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Tajikistan, in his welcoming speech.

The trainings were designed to enhance the knowledge and capacities of the governmental officials of Tajikistan on key components of the global climate change policy and regime as well as to get them better prepared for the climate negotiation process at COP-26, as part of the global effort to contribute to the global efforts at achieving the Paris Agreement goals to slow the climate emergency by reducing anthropological footprint on environment.

This capacity building exercise is particularly important as this year all countries, including Tajikistan, are expected to submit updated nationally determined contributions (NDC) – targets set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as commitment before the global society. Increase in national ambitions to cope with climate change is an integral part of the success of the Paris Agreement.

Representatives of the governmental organizations, who are directly dealing with the climate change agenda, whose professional activities are crosscutting (e.g. energy, economic development, water resources, agriculture, etc.) participated in the trainings focusing on adaptation to climate change, climate finance and mechanisms of the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Experts from the UNFCCC Secretariat, Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility, Great Britain and Germany, ADB, FAO and UNDP spoke at the event.

The trainings are held within a larger initiative to promote international collaboration to achieve environmentally sustainable development, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO UK).