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09:00–09:30
HIGH-LEVEL OPENING SESSION
Opening remarks and welcome by key event co-organizers and partners.
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09:30–10:20
Thematic Discussion #1
NEXT FRONTIER: CLEANTECH AT THE NEXUS OF ENERGY, CLIMATE ACTION AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
This session will open the Cleantech Days 2025 with a forward-looking discussion on how cleantech innovation can drive climate mitigation, enable sustainable industrialization and accelerate inclusive energy transitions.
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10:30–11:20
Thematic Discussion #2
POLICY AS ENABLER: PROMOTING EFFECTIVE POLICY MECHANISMS AND STRENGTHENING NATIONAL ECOSYSTEMS TO EMPOWER CLEANTECH FOR CLIMATE ACTION
This session will explore the role of national and subnational policies, relevant infrastructure and support mechanisms in unlocking the full potential of cleantech innovation for sustainable industrial development, as well as the roles that diverse ecosystem stakeholders play in enabling the long-term growth of innovation.
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11:30–12:45
Thematic Discussion #3
DRIVING GREEN INNOVATION THROUGH REGIONAL COOPERATION: THE ROLE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES
UNIDO-supported ecosystem development; public–private collaboration, policy alignment and models for replication across OTS countries.
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14:15–15:30
Fishbowl Discussion #1
POWERING JUST TRANSITION: CLEANTECH AS CATALYST FOR LOW-CARBON AND INCLUSIVE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
This session aims to spotlight how inclusive innovation ecosystems can power a just energy transition by aligning technological progress with broader socio-economic goals such as job creation, social equity, and environmental sustainability.
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16:00–17:15
Fishbowl Discussion #2
FINANCING THE FUTURE: MOBILIZING CAPITAL FOR INCLUSIVE CLEANTECH INNOVATION
This session will bring together finance and development institutions, climate funds, and private investors to discuss how financial systems can better serve cleantech entrepreneurs and ecosystems.
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17:15–17:30
Day 1 Closing Session
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18:00–20:00
Cleantech Days 2025 • Welcome Reception
Cleantech Days 2025
Bridging Regions and People
To Accelerate Innovation for Just Transition
For Innovators
For Ecosystems
For Countries
For Planet
For Innovators
For Ecosystems
For Countries
For Planet
🔹 Istanbul, Türkiye
📅 1–5 September 2025
What is Cleantech Days
Cleantech Days is the annual global forum of the UNIDO’s Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), supported by the Global Environment Facility. It is a platform where clean technology entrepreneurs, ecosystem enablers, policymakers, investors and development partners come together to showcase innovation, exchange knowledge and build partnerships for sustainable and inclusive industrial development. Since its inception, Cleantech Days has grown into a space for innovators to gain international visibility, connect with peers, mentors, and experts, and access new markets and financing opportunities.
Cleantech Days in numbers so far…
55+
CLEANTECH SOLUTIONS
Engaged and Showcased
250+
PARTICIPANTS
From More Than 20 Countries
10+
AWARDS
And Special Recognitions
30+
PARTNERS
And Co-Creators Engaged
CLEANTECH DAYS STORY
Vienna 2023: The first edition of Cleantech Days took place in Vienna in November 2023 alongside the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum. It brought together over 120 participants from 23 countries, including more than 30 UNIDO-supported entrepreneurs. The event spotlighted success stories and fostered dialogue on cleantech financing, investment and partnerships—underscoring the importance of linking innovators with funding and markets.
Vienna 2024: In June 2024, the second edition continued this momentum, providing a platform to showcase impactful cleantech solutions and connect entrepreneurs with businesses, financiers and investors. Co-hosted with UNIDO’s Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, and themed “Connecting for Development – Innovating for Impact,” the event amplified Member States’ innovative potential while enabling networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Istanbul 2025: Cleantech Days 2025 marks a new milestone: the first time the event will be hosted outside Vienna. Co-organized with TÜBİTAK in Istanbul, this edition reflects the event’s expanding reach and symbolic choice of Türkiye as a regional bridge—demonstrating the leadership of emerging and developing economies in global climate innovation.
CLEANTECH DAYS 2025 – JOURNEY BEYOND VIENNA
Istanbul, a connecting point between Europe, Asia and Africa, hosts the Cleantech Days 2025, symbolizing the bridging of regions and cultures in pursuit of a shared green future. Co-organized by UNIDO and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK), Cleantech Days 2025 aligns with the UNIDO’s vision for the advancement of just energy transition. The event emphasizes the importance of developing long-term, people-centered strategies and policies that not only address the pressing issues of energy access and low-carbon industrialization but also support social inclusion and economic opportunities for all.
Inclusive Participation: The event’s focus this year also includes the context of the M-MPTF-funded Joint Programme (JP) on “Supporting Migrants’ Inclusion in Türkiye’s Transition to A Green Economy”, implemented jointly by IOM, UNIDO and TÜBİTAK and funded by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (M-MPTF). The Point Programme aims to support women, youth and migrant-led MSMEs and startups in their green transition for a more competitive and sustainable future within the circular economy..
Cleantech Days 2025 in Istanbul will serve as a bridge, connecting regions, people, and ideas, to accelerate the just transition through inclusive innovation, investment facilitation and regional and cross-regional partnerships.
Pillar 1: People • Partnerships • Regional Cooperation
Empowering Inclusive Innovation
Spotlighting cleantech innovators and changemakers. Promoting inclusive ecosystems and impact-driven public-private partnerships. Showcasing how collaboration — across regions, industries and communities — accelerates climate solutions.
Connecting for Greater Impact
Exploring regional and cross-regional cooperation opportunities, with a focus on UNIDO-enabled platforms. Highlighting shared challenges, mutual learning and the role of regional networks in scaling cleantech adoption and entrepreneurship.
Pillar 2: Solutions • Technologies
Innovating for a Just Transition
Showcasing scalable cleantech and green solutions as well as business models that support just and inclusive transition. Featuring renewable energy, circular economy and low-carbon innovations.
Technologies for System Transformation
Highlighting breakthroughs in cleantech, sustainable design and circular materials. Emphasizing the role of innovation hubs and technology partnerships in local and global transitions.
Pillar 3: Finance • Investment
Mobilizing Climate Capital
Exploring finance challenges and opportunities to scale cleantech solutions. Highlighting tools, mechanisms and approaches for unlocking blended finance and risk reduction.
Connecting Innovators and Investors
Enabling connections between cleantech startups and financiers through targeted matchmaking and dialogue. Promoting investment flows that support inclusive and sustainable growth.
Pillar 4: Policies • Ecosystem Support Mechanisms
Enabling Environments for Innovation
Focusing on the policies, incentives and institutional frameworks needed to scale climate innovation. Supporting green industrial strategies and entrepreneurship.
Systemic Support for Cleantech Scale-up
Highlighting integrated ecosystem support, from regulatory frameworks to capacity-building, to ensure cleantech adoption and market growth across sectors and regions.
Cleantech Days 2025 • 1–5 September • Dedeman İstanbul Hotel
All sessions
Startups and Entrepreneurs
Ecosystem Stakeholders and Partners
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09:30–10:45
Thematic Discussion #4
MIGRATION, INNOVATION AND THE GREEN TRANSITION
This side event will explore the critical role of migrants, youth and women in driving inclusive green transitions, with a focus on overcoming key barriers such as limited access to finance, networks and supportive legal frameworks.
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10:50–12:45Startups and Entrepreneurs
MENTORING WORKSHOP FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Peer-to-Peer knowledge exchange session in the form of a two-hour workshop for startups and MSMEs, facilitated by mentors of the World Summit Awards.
Ecosystem Stakeholders PartnersWORLD CAFÉ WORKSHOP • CLEANTECH CONVERSATIONS BY THE BOSPHORUS
The session brings together representatives from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), GCIP National Project Executing Entities (NPEEs), GCIP Project Management Units (PMUs), UNIDO representatives and external partners for a collaborative discussion on how innovation and startup ecosystems can be strengthened across the region and beyond.
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14:00–18:00Startups and Entrepreneurs
PITCH TRAINING AND PREPARATION (1:1 SESSIONS WITH MENTORS)
Four mentors (NGIN and WSA) deliver practical coaching to the entrepreneurs participating in the global pitching competition round. Entrepreneurs can select individual slots with mentors.
Ecosystem Stakeholders and PartnersECOSYSTEM EXPRESS: FROM PROJECTS TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY (14:00-16:30)
This session will explore the evolution from project-based outcomes to self-sustaining cleantech innovation ecosystems. The session will focus on what has and has not worked well and what is needed for sustainability and long-term impact — particularly through enhanced regional cooperation.
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08:30–13:30Startups and Entrepreneurs
GLOBAL PITCHING COMPETITION • ROUND I
The GCIP Global Pitching Competition is a highlight of the Cleantech Days 2025, bringing together top startups and MSMEs from GCIP’s national accelerators to present their innovative business ideas on a global stage. This competition is designed to provide participants with a unique platform to showcase their cleantech solutions to an international audience. It offers a valuable opportunity to sharpen their pitching skills, receive expert feedback and refine their value proposition.
Ecosystem Stakeholders and PartnersBILATERAL MEETINGS / PITCHING ATTENDANCE FOR RESPECTIVE TEAMS
Mentimeter Survey with the GCIP Project Management Units (11:00–11:45)
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14:30–15:15
Thematic Discussion #5
AI UNVEILED: FROM HYPE TO IMPACT
The panel discussion explores what Artificial Intelligence truly is and how it intersects with cleantech, highlighting key concepts like machine learning, optimization, and automation. Three expert speakers will examine ethical risks and showcase real-world applications of AI in energy efficiency, circular economy, and emissions reduction.
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15:45–17:15Startups and Entrepreneurs
WORKSHOP: KEY SKILLS FOR STARTUP GROWTH
Ecosystem Stakeholders and PartnersACCELERATION ‘BAZAAR’ – FINANCING AND MARKET ACCESS FOR CLEANTECH GROWTH
An interactive workshop for PMUs to exchange tools and strategies that support the scaling of growth-stage cleantech startups. Using a rotating World Café format, participants will share best practices across three themes: (1) financing mechanisms, (2) investment readiness and (3) market access and partnerships.
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17:30–18:30
CLEANTECH DAYS STARTUP REALTALKS: BEHIND THE BREAKTHROUGHS
While Cleantech Days highlight success and innovation, it is equally important to explore the often-unspoken realities of entrepreneurship challenges. “Cleantech Days Startup RealTalks: Behind the Breakthroughs” provides an open space for cleantech entrepreneurs to share moments of failure and how those setbacks paved the way for growth, learning and reinvention.
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09:00–12:00
FINAL ROUND OF THE PITCHING COMPETITION
The top two teams from the first round of the pitching competition will do a second round of pitching to a single panel of selected Round 2 judges (6-8 judges) and facilitators from UNIDO. This judging session will be a publicly open session, and available for attendance from all entrepreneurs, investors, PMU teams and other Cleantech Days delegates.
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13:15–14:30Startups and Entrepreneurs
SPOTLIGHT ON INVESTORS – FINANCING CLEANTECH INNOVATIONS – INVESTOR REVERSE PITCHES
Interactive session where cleantech investors share information about their funds, and the drivers behind their investment decisions, followed by informal networking. Startups gain insight into investor logic and begin building connections to support future fundraising.
Ecosystem Stakeholders and PartnersGLOBAL CLEANTECH INNOVATION INDEX 2026 SPOTLIGHT
This session provides a space for country teams to understand how to showcase their country’s cleantech successes in the final GCIP Index report. The session will present what country-specific content is planned for the index, and how countries can collect and validate the information. Countries can ask clarification questions to facilitate their inputs into preparation of the index.
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15:30–16:45
CLEANTECH DAYS 2025 AWARDS CEREMONY: RECOGNIZING SUCCESSES AND INSPIRING ACTION
The awards ceremony of the Cleantech Days 2025 is a final wrap-up of the week, celebrating the most inspiring solutions and bringing together all the event stakeholders once again for recognition.
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18:00–20:00
NETWORKING AND CLOSING RECEPTION FOR THE CLEANTECH DAYS 2025
Targeted setting for participants to consolidate newly formed connections, explore collaboration opportunities and initiate follow-up discussions.
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All day
Site Visit — TÜBİTAK MAM Facility
09:30 Departure from hotel 11:00 Arrival to the MAM Facility 11:00–11:30 TÜBİTAK MAM short presentation and briefing
11:30–13:00 Meeting with research groups and lab visits - Biomass Gasification & CO₂ Capture Demonstration Site
- Biodegradable Waste Recovery Laboratory
(2 lab visits: ~20 mins each + 20 mins Q&A)13:00–14:30 Lunch and coffee break 14:30–15:00 UN Technology Bank 15:00–15:30 Wrap-up 15:30 Departure from MAM Facility
Cleantech Days 2025 Key Messages at a Glance
INCLUSION FUELS INNOVATION
Diverse voices and ideas drive equitable and impactful climate solutions that benefit society at large.
REGIONAL COLLABORATION SCALES CHANGE
Cross-border partnerships across and between regions accelerate cleantech adoption and open new markets.
ENTREPRENEURS LEAD TRANSITION
Cleantech innovators power climate mitigation efforts and low-carbon industry transition.
ECOSYSTEMS MATTER
Supportive policies, ecosystem-level coordination and partnerships create fertile ground for innovation to grow.
FINANCE UNLOCKS SCALE
Connecting innovators with capital is key to accelerating just transition solutions—but it requires joint action.
Co-Organisers
Technical Partners
Funding Support
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