GCF Regional Dialogue in Georgia advances climate finance across Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Over 150 senior government officials, climate finance leaders and development partners from across Eastern Europe and Central Asia gathered in Tbilisi on 6 October 2026 for the opening of the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) Regional Dialogue with Eastern Europe and Central Asia, co-hosted by the Government of Georgia. Over three days, participants explored how to strengthen country-led climate investment, accelerate access to climate finance and deepen regional cooperation to address shared climate challenges. 

Opening the dialogue, David Songulashvili, Georgia's Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, highlighted the growing impacts of climate change across the region and underscored the importance of translating regional cooperation into concrete projects and results. 

"Climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing challenge for our region and is already having a significant impact on our countries and populations," he said. "For Georgia, strengthening climate resilience and advancing a sustainable economy are key priorities. Together with the Green Climate Fund, we are taking concrete steps to reduce climate-related risks, strengthen early warning systems and promote the sustainable management of forests. Our goal is to turn regional cooperation into concrete projects, and projects into investments and tangible results."

Thomas Eriksson, GCF Director for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, emphasised that the dialogue provides a platform for countries to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and advance practical climate action. He highlighted GCF's growing regional focus, including support for country platforms, regional cooperation and increased investment to help countries translate climate ambitions into results.

“The Green Climate Fund is pursuing a regionally focused approach and is already delivering tangible results. By deepening partnerships, increasing investment, supporting country platforms, and establishing a regional presence, we are helping countries translate their climate ambitions into concrete action and contribute to building a more sustainable future,” he said.

The first day featured a high-level ministerial roundtable, "From Ambition to Implementation: Scaling Up Country-Driven Climate Investment and Regional Cooperation.”  With keynote remarks by Georgia's Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and Akyl Toktobaev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, the Kyrgyz Republic, it brought together senior officials from Georgia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia¹ to discuss climate investment priorities, implementation barriers, and opportunities for stronger collaboration. 

Discussions highlighted growing interest in regional approaches to shared challenges, including water security, drought, floods, forest fires and early warning systems, alongside the need to strengthen climate investment planning and develop more bankable projects.

Participants explored how country platforms can help governments align climate priorities, investment planning and partner support. The session opened with the signing of a country platform partnership between GCF and Kazakhstan, marking a further step in strengthening coordination around national climate priorities.

Speakers from Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Serbia and Uzbekistan² shared experiences on using country platforms to turn climate strategies into investment-ready programmes and projects while reinforcing country ownership. GCF also highlighted its support for country platforms through Readiness resources that help countries strengthen coordination, engage partners and build pipelines of climate investments.

The first day also featured discussions on the role of the private sector in accelerating climate action and the growing potential of carbon markets to mobilise climate finance across the region. Government representatives, financial institutions and investment partners explored opportunities to strengthen investment pipelines, create enabling conditions for private capital and support credible mitigation efforts through carbon-market readiness and cooperation. 

Over the next two days, participants moved from strategic dialogue to practical implementation through a series of clinics, workshops and consultations focused on project development, accreditation, readiness support, climate rationale, safeguards and investment planning. These sessions were designed to help countries and partners strengthen climate investment pipelines, improve access to GCF resources and advance country-led programming across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.