Participation of representatives of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in the High- Level Panel at the UN Climate Summit (COP29) 11/22/2024 Baku (Azerbaijan)

On 22 November, the Climate Vulnerability Task Force’s researchers and experts from the project «EU4Dialogue» presented their joint paper, titled “Cooperation on Climate Vulnerabilities: Adding Regional Dimensions to National Climate Change Adaptation Planning in Eastern Partnership Countries,” during a high-level panel at COP29.

In response to increasing climate vulnerability, Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries have taken steps to prepare adaptation actions against climate change. Researchers and experts highlight that transboundary cooperation can drastically contribute to its alleviation. Often, actions implemented at the national level are fragmented in their approach and incapable of solving the multiple dimensions of regional problems. In response to increasing climate vulnerability, Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries have taken steps to prepare adaptation actions against climate change. Researchers and experts highlight that transboundary cooperation can drastically contribute to its alleviation. Often, actions implemented at the national level are fragmented in their approach and incapable of solving the multiple dimensions of regional problems. 

At a panel discussion supported by the project «EU4Dialogue» Good practices from the Ukraine-Moldova cross-border water governance, in particular, on the Dniester River have been shared with colleagues from the South Caucasus. This panel brings together authors, experts and policy makers to discuss lessons-to-be-learned. In addition, the “Strategic Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Dniester River Basin” and the Plan for its implementation have been prepared in previous time under the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) are a good basis for further implementation by the Governments. 

The panel, hosted by the Ukrainian Pavilion, was opened by Victoria Kyreieva, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and Patrizia Albrecht, Climate Affairs Adviser, Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

The speakers at the event were Hanna Plotnikova, Environmental Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, Svitlana Slesarenok, Founder Black Sea Women Club, (Ukraine), Cristina Smolenschi, Deputy Major Municipality Straseni and Piotr Comarov, Development Director, AEER, (Republic of Moldova), Ekaterine Otarashvili, Environmental Lawyer, (Georgia), Rovshan Abbasov, professor, environmental research center, KU (Azerbaijan) 

The panel discussion was moderated by Tanja Tamminen, Team Leader, EU4Dialogue Component 1.