Background

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remain among the most climate-vulnerable, facing rising sea levels, intensifying climate-induced disasters, and resource constraints that limit their ability to respond effectively. Despite contributing the least to global emissions, they stand at the frontline of the climate crisis. 

The UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, comprising the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), was established to help countries overcome these barriers, such as limited technical expertise, capacity, and institutional readiness, by facilitating access to transformative technologies, strengthening enabling environments, and driving innovation that links policy with practice. Thus, both the TEC and the CTCN support SIDS and LDCs in building climate resilience and transitioning to low-emission development pathways. 

The TEC, as the policy arm of the Mechanism, develops strategic guidance and policy recommendations to accelerate climate technology development and transfer. Its work places particular emphasis on the needs of developing countries, including SIDS and LDCs, by identifying emerging opportunities and addressing systemic barriers. Recent examples include the work of the TEC on: 

• Opportunities, challenges and risk of using artificial intelligence for climate change adaptation and mitigation action in developing countries with a focus on LDCs and SIDS;
• Climate-smart agriculture and food systems, which resulted in produced knowledge products and guidance to scale climate-resilient technologies in agriculture and food systems;
• Community-based early warning systems to support approaches that integrate local and scientific knowledge to improve risk preparedness and disaster response in vulnerable communities. 

The CTCN, as the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism, prioritizes requests from SIDS and LDCs, applying the same criteria across its programmes. Examples of CTCN work are: 

• Under the EU–CTCN Partnership, flagship initiatives include the Climate Change and Security Programme, which pilots conflict-sensitive climate technologies in countries facing climate-security risks, and,
• EC-Innovative Climate Solutions Programme promotes technology transfer and national innovation systems in SIDS and LDCs, supporting capacity building, incubation, and investment readiness;
• Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) targets developing countries, prioritizing LDCs and SIDS and providing tailored support to advance climate adaptation solutions;
• Beyond its flagship programmes, the CTCN provides flexible, non-programmatic technical assistance to respond to country-driven requests, covering both adaptation and mitigation projects in LDCs and SIDS.

At COP30 in Belém, this event will showcase how the Technology Mechanism is enabling climate solutions that are not only visionary but also actionable – connecting high-level policy insights with on-the-ground implementation. 

Together, the stories from the Technology Mechanism will illustrate how both bodies are turning innovation into impact, bridging policy, partnerships, and technology to strengthen and accelerate low-emission, climate-resilient development. 

Objectives 

• Highlight TEC-CTCN collaboration on accelerating climate technology solutions in LDCs and SIDS;
• Showcase stories of impact from SIDS and LDCs that demonstrate how climate technologies are transforming adaptation and mitigation pathways, highlighting the critical elements of support that make these successes possible — from technical assistance and capacity building to policy guidance, partnerships, and access to finance;
• Engage innovators and changemakers to partner with the Technology Mechanism in scaling up solutions and ensuring inclusive, sustained climate action.