Gurbuz Gonul

As Director of the IRENA’s Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP), Gurbuz Gonul oversees the Agency’s work on supporting member countries in the development and implementation of national and regional renewable energy strategies and programmes through IRENA’s regional initiatives, tailored country support as well as partnership initiatives. Mr. Gonul joined IRENA in 2014 as Head of Regions Unit. Formerly, he worked as Senior Energy Economist of the Islamic Development Bank between 2010 and 2014, where he led the work for the development of an Energy Sector Policy for the Bank as well as the processing of complex loan and technical assistance projects in Africa and Asia. Between 2004 and 2010, Mr. Gonul served as Senior Expert at the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels, where he spearheaded policy analysis, sectoral in-depth reviews, regional / country reviews concerning energy investments, trade and transportation. He also held positions in the EU Commission’s Delegation in Ankara and Turkey’s Ministry of Energy since 1993. Mr. Gonul holds Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Oil and Gas Engineering from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara.

Session Overview

Tuesday, 5 November

15:30

Finance & Investment Conference Conference Room A 15:30 - 16:15

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Securing energy finance to deliver a pragmatic and equitable energy transition for emerging economies

To achieve a just and equitable energy transition capital must be accessible, available, and affordable. The UAE Leaders’ Declaration on a Global Climate Finance Framework and ALTÉRRA are examples of the collaborative mechanisms aiming to mobilise capital and reduce risk, but progress still needs to be made. Barriers to investor confidence range from developing economies’ high borrowing costs, real and perceived investment risks, limited creditworthy off takers, and uncertain regulatory environments, all of which need to be addressed to attract and secure critical funding.

Attendee insights:

In the lead up to COP29, join a multilateral stakeholder group to progress dialogue around viable, sustainable, and innovative finance structures to enable a pragmatic and equitable energy transition. Participants will provide insights on finance structures, the development of domestic capital resources, and how to facilitate international private finance flows.