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From Preparation to Implementation: Strong Cooperation for Climate-Resilient Cities in the Lead-Up to COP31

On 13 August, we joined mayors, national institutions, international financial institutions, United Nations organisations and city networks at “Developing Climate-Resilient Cities in the Lead-Up to COP31”, organised by İLBANK in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank.

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© European Union, 2026

 

Drawing on the European Union’s cooperation with municipalities in Türkiye, our Head of Financial Cooperation, Maria Luisa Wyganowski, highlighted four practical lessons: give project preparation the same attention and resources as construction; bring grants, loans, guarantees and expertise together; stay alongside municipalities through implementation; and measure success not only by the finance mobilised, but by the public services delivered.

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European Union, 2026

These priorities closely complement the Sustainable Urban Resilience Financing Facility’s (SURFF) ambition to strengthen investment preparation, develop implementable project pipelines, deepen international cooperation and mobilise finance for resilient cities.

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European Union, 2026

The discussion also reflected COP31 President and Minister Murat Kurum’s vision of an “Implementation COP” that turns climate commitments into tangible results.

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European Union, 2026

Our thanks to İLBANK, the Asian Development Bank and everyone who contributed. As we move towards COP31 in Antalya, we will continue contributing our experience and partnership from preparation through implementation.

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European Union, 2026