The Covenant of Mayors – East (CoM East) marked its 15th anniversary in the Eastern Partnership region, bringing together municipalities, governments, EU institutions and international partners to review progress on climate action and discuss the future of sustainable development at the local level.
A high-level conference dedicated to the 15th Anniversary of the Covenant of Mayors in the Eastern Partnership Region was held on May 20-21, 2026, in Chisinsu, Moldova, within the framework of the EU-funded Covenant of Mayors – East project.
The conference focused on 15 years of local climate and energy initiatives in the region and discussed future priorities
The event brought together more than 200 representatives from signatory municipalities, national authorities, EU institutions, international financial organizations and partner initiatives from the Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, alongside representatives from EU member states and international organizations.
The conference focused on 15 years of local climate and energy initiatives in the region and discussed future priorities, including improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy use and strengthening communities’ ability to adapt to climate change.
A European Initiative with a Local Focus
The Covenant of Mayors was launched by the European Commission in 2008 as a voluntary initiative encouraging cities and regions to take action on climate change and energy efficiency. The initiative is based on the idea that local authorities play a crucial role in reducing emissions, improving energy use and preparing communities for climate-related challenges.
The Covenant of Mayors – East initiative was later established to support municipalities in the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries by helping them develop climate and energy plans, improve technical capacity and access international support.
Opening the anniversary conference, Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to Moldova, highlighted the importance of local governments in achieving climate goals.
33 Georgian municipalities are currently signatories, representing approximately 3.7 million people
“When the Covenant of Mayors was launched by the European Union back in 2008, it was built on a simple but powerful idea: that cities and municipalities are essential actors in the transition towards a more sustainable future,” Piórko said.
She noted that the Covenant of Mayors East now brings together hundreds of municipalities across the region committed to improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate resilience at the local level.
Georgia’s Participation in the Initiative
Georgia has been an active participant in the Covenant of Mayors – East, with municipalities using the initiative as a framework for improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions and developing climate adaptation measures.
According to the Covenant of Mayors East initiative, 33 Georgian municipalities are currently signatories, representing approximately 3.7 million people. Participating municipalities include major urban centers such as Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori and Zugdidi, as well as smaller municipalities across the country.
Georgian municipalities involved in the initiative have worked on Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs), which identify local sources of greenhouse gas emissions and set out measures to reduce energy consumption and improve resilience to climate impacts.
Projects supported through the initiative have focused on areas such as improving energy efficiency in public buildings, upgrading municipal infrastructure, modernizing street lighting, promoting renewable energy solutions and raising public awareness about climate issues.
Why Climate Action Matters for Georgia
For Georgia, local climate planning is closely linked to broader challenges including energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization and environmental protection.
Many Georgian municipalities face climate-related risks, including floods, landslides, droughts and extreme weather events. Mountainous and rural areas are particularly vulnerable, while larger cities face challenges linked to transport emissions, urban development and energy demand.
The Covenant of Mayors provides Georgian municipalities with access to European expertise, technical assistance and cooperation opportunities with other cities in the region and beyond.
The initiative also supports Georgia’s wider cooperation with the European Union on environmental and energy reforms. Climate action, energy efficiency and renewable energy development are among the areas where the EU encourages closer alignment with European standards.
Recognition of Local Climate Leaders
During the anniversary conference, the Covenant of Mayors East recognized eight municipalities for progress in developing low-carbon and climate-resilient communities.
The winners were selected from 67 applications submitted by municipalities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine.
The recognized municipalities were:
• Vanadzor, Armenia
• Sheki, Azerbaijan
• Ceadîr-Lunga and Sireti, Moldova
• Chernivtsi, Myrhorod, Rivne and Slavutych, Ukraine
Each municipality received a voucher of up to €1,000 to support follow-up activities, including tree planting initiatives, environmental awareness campaigns and other local climate actions.
The Next Phase of Climate Cooperation
The 15th anniversary comes as Eastern Partnership countries continue to face energy and environmental challenges. Municipalities are increasingly expected to play a larger role in improving energy security, reducing emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Georgia is focused on improving energy efficiency, upgrading infrastructure, promoting renewable energy solutions, and raising public awareness about climate issues
For Georgia, continued participation in the Covenant of Mayors offers local governments a platform to cooperate with European partners, strengthen climate planning and develop projects that can attract international support.
As the initiative enters its next phase, priorities are expected to include deeper implementation of existing climate plans, increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and stronger cooperation between municipalities across the Eastern Partnership region.
By Team GT
