Issue-based Coalition on Environment and Climate Change Workshop 2023

From 12 to 14 September, the UN Issue-based Coalition on Environment and Climate Change (IBC) for Europe and Central Asia delivered a workshop in Istanbul to strengthen the capacities of the Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) in effectively integrating climate change, pollution, biodiversity, water management and a just green transition in UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs).

The event was one of many steps taken by the IBC to increase awareness and integration of the triple planetary crisis into the UNSDCFs and UN cooperative delivery. During the workshop, the UNCT and RCO members developed ideas for future collaboration at the country and regional levels. The participants identified ways to jointly prepare for the Climate COPs and to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), among other key environmental goals. It served as a platform to share and discuss global and regional outlooks and good practices that can guide the planning of future work of and among UNCTs.

The topics discussed were:

• Coordinated UN Action to address environment and climate change issues
• Climate and energy
• Air pollution
• Water, including transboundary cooperation
• Early Warning Systems for All
• Biodiversity
• Just transitions towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all

The two-and-a-half-day workshop was organized by the IBC in close cooperation with the UN Development Cooperation Office (DCO) and strongly supported through inputs from six UN Resident Coordinators in the region. It gathered over 100 UN staff from 12 agencies across 15 countries and territories.