©General Directorate of Forestry of Turkiye
©General Directorate of Forestry of Turkiye
The urgent need to strengthen climate-resilient and low-emission agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia took centre stage at the Regional Workshop on Enhancing Climate Action in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia, as experts and policymakers convened to strategize regional preparations for the upcoming UNFCCC COP30.
Held in parallel with Istanbul Forest Innovation Week and the 43rd Session of the FAO European Forestry Commission, the workshop placed a special focus on the role of mountain ecosystems in climate adaptation and resilience.
The workshop focused on supporting countries as they prepare their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and strengthen the integration of agriculture into national climate policies. The workshop provided further clarity on climate finance opportunities, carbon markets and international cooperation under Article 6 and examined how to better align indicators used in NDCs and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
The Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) led a dedicated session on mountain ecosystems and agrifood systems. Sara Manuelli, MPS, highlighted the vital role of mountain agrifood systems in addressing global challenges such as food insecurity, biodiversity loss and glacier retreat. Sara emphasized the need to integrate mountain priorities into global climate and biodiversity frameworks and how networks like the Mountain Partnership can positively coordinate mountain-focused climate action. She introduced key initiatives designed to empower mountain communities and strengthen sustainable value chains — including the Mountain Partnership Products Initiative, the Business Incubator and Accelerator for Mountains and Islands and flagship capacity-building programmes. She concluded with a roadmap towards COP30 and the Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership, which will take place in Andorra from 26 to 28 March 2026.
In a session entitled “Elevating Mountains in the Context of the UN Climate Regime: Towards the Second Paris Agreement Global Stocktake”, Kaveh Guilanpour, Vice President at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), emphasized the importance of integrating mountain-specific priorities into the global climate agenda, particularly in the lead-up to the Second Global Stocktake (GST2) under the Paris Agreement. He urged that coordinated efforts are essential to embed mountain-specific targets in global climate negotiations and to ensure the recognition of mountain indicators in adaptation and transparency frameworks.
Noelia Souque, Ambassador for Cross-Border Cooperation of the Government of Andorra, delivered a statement outlining Andorra’s efforts to meet its NDC target of a 63 percent emissions reduction by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as reflecting on Andorra's experience in preparing and submitting its Biennial Transparency Report (BTR). She called for stronger mountain-focused adaptation, improved data and monitoring systems, mountain indicators in UNFCCC reporting and enhanced technical and financial support.
Breakout sessions were organized to prepare for COP30 as well as what is needed to achieve sustainable mountain development by 2030 and the GST2. Priorities included focusing on Loss and Damage, Adaptation indicators, reforestation, NDCs follow up, technology transfer and adaptation financing, establishing a Regional Central for Glaciers preservation (Tajikistan) and recognising the International. Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 and Mountain Summit in Kyrgyzstan in COP30 statements and financial support for mountains through the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage.
It was recommended to advocate for mountains in the various negotiating groups, in bilateral and at plenary leveraging on the mountain negotiating group.
The workshop took place in Istanbul, Türkiye on 23–24 October 2025, bringing together representatives from over 15 countries, international organizations and technical experts to strengthen regional cooperation on climate-resilient agrifood systems.
