TTI Investor Salon · COP31 Antalya | Blended Finance & Climate Investing
Blended Finance, Technology and Climate Investing in Emerging Markets
As climate investment needs accelerate, the question is how to mobilize capital at scale across emerging markets.
Join Top Tier Impact for an invitation-only Investor Salon bringing together international investors, financial institutions, corporate leaders, founders and sustainability professionals from TTI’s global network, alongside leading voices from Türkiye’s investment ecosystem.
The program will explore the role of blended finance in unlocking private capital, the opportunities and challenges of investing in emerging markets, and how international and local actors can work together to mobilize capital for sustainable investment.
The morning will feature a startup showcase, investor panel, advisory session, and curated networking.
Limited seats. Early Bird prices increase closer to the event - secure your spot now.
AGENDA
08:30–09:00 | Registration, Welcome Coffee & Networking
09:00–09:15 | Opening & Welcome Remarks by Haluk Haksal – Top Tier Impact Opening remarks introducing Top Tier Impact, the COP31 context and the objectives of the Investor Salon, with an emphasis on mobilising investment and fostering collaboration for climate solutions.
09:15–09:45 | Climate Tech Startup Showcase & Pitching Session
Presentations by selected climate technology startups, highlighting innovative solutions, investment opportunities and growth potential.
09:45–10:45 | Panel Discussion Blended Finance, Technology and Climate Investing in Emerging Markets
Moderator: Dr Şahin Yaman, an international political economist, Türkiye’s former Chief Negotiator at the World Trade Organization (WTO), and a lecturer in Dynamics of World Oil at Middle East Technical University (METU). He regularly contributes expert commentary on global markets, energy and international political economy to Bloomberg.
Panellists
Prof. Dr. Coşkun Küçüközmen: Professor of International Trade and Finance at Izmir University of Economics, Türkiye, a financial economist and former senior central banker. He holds an MSc in European Economics and Finance from Loughborough University and a PhD in Finance from the University of Exeter, with specialist training in quantitative finance and financial econometrics.
His career spans 25 years in Türkiye’s public financial institutions, including the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye and the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, covering monetary policy, banking regulation and financial stability. Over the past five years, his work has increasingly focused on sustainable finance, climate-related financial risks, financial technology, AI governance and the evolving architecture of global finance. He explores how risk-sharing mechanisms, institutional credibility and capital-market development can mobilise investment while safeguarding financial stability.
Dr Emre Eren Korkmaz: Research Affiliate at the University of Oxford and former British Academy Fellow. He specialises in emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. He is the author of Smart Borders, Digital Identity, and Big Data, and the forthcoming The Climate Tech Blueprint, which explores how entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers can design and scale sustainable climate ventures. His research connects AI, sustainability, and finance — examining how digital technologies can catalyse climate action and channel private capital toward high-impact solutions.
Lisa A. Kaestner, TBC: Division Director for Türkiye, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group. With over 25 years of experience in development finance and private investment mobilisation, she previously led IFC's operations in Ukraine, including investment initiatives supporting renewable energy, infrastructure and private sector resilience.
Özgür Pehlivan, TBC: A senior finance and development specialist with over 30 years of experience in international development finance, climate finance, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships. He previously served as Deputy Director General at Türkiye’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance and as Deputy Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations in New York. Throughout his career, he has managed and advised internationally financed projects across the municipal infrastructure, transport, energy, water, health, and climate sectors. He has worked with leading international organisations, including the World Bank, UNDP, FAO, and GIZ. His expertise includes project finance, blended and sustainable finance, financial feasibility analysis, institutional capacity-building, policy development, and the preparation of strategies and action plans. Most recently, he has contributed to the preparation of Türkiye’s Climate Change Adaptation Finance Strategy and Action Plan, Ninth National Communication, and Second Biennial Transparency Report of Türkiye under the Paris Agreement.
Ahu Serter: Founder, Fark Labs & Arya Investment Platform | Chair, Fark Holding. Ahu Serter is an entrepreneur and investor working at the intersection of industrial transformation, climate innovation and inclusive investment. As Chair of Fark Holding and founder of Fark Labs, she connects industrial expertise with venture capital to support technologies shaping the future of mobility, energy and sustainable manufacturing. She also founded Arya Investment Platform to advance women’s participation as investors, entrepreneurs and capital owners. Guided by her “Better Future Investor” philosophy, she focuses on mobilising private capital, scaling innovation and building partnerships that turn climate ambition into commercially viable solutions and shared economic opportunity.
Seçil Yıldız: Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Impact Leader, Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye. After graduating from Boğaziçi University, Department of Business Administration, Mrs. Yildiz began her career at the Industrial Development Bank of Turkey in 1998. She held various managerial positions at Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG, UniCredit Investment Securities, and ING Bank, where she assumed a wide variety of investment banking roles. Mrs. Yildiz joined Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye in 2019 as Executive Vice President, responsible from Investment Banking, Financial Analysis and Project Evaluation and Sustainability and Environmental Social Impact Management divisions. Mrs. Yildiz is also Chairperson of Development Asset Leasing Companies and Board Member of Turkish Investment Initiative Portfolio Management Company. Currently, Mrs. Yıldız is a Board Member of the Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD Turkey) and Vice Chairperson of the Impact Investing Advisory Board (EYDK). She is also Member of the Advisory Board of the Operating Principles for Impact Management.
Discussion Focus: An investor-focused discussion on blended finance, FinTech and financial innovation, environmental and social impact investing, risk-sharing mechanisms and mobilising private capital for climate investment in emerging markets.
10:45–11:15 | Coffee Break & Networking
An opportunity for investors, entrepreneurs, speakers and participants to connect and explore potential collaborations.
11:15–12:00 | Investment Advisory Session
Session Leads: Seçil Yıldız, Ahu Serter & Gökhan Dikmener
An interactive session focusing on development finance, investment instruments, access to capital, impact investing, risk mitigation and financing opportunities for climate-related projects and entrepreneurs in emerging markets. The session will also introduce the UNDP ICPSD (Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development) Climate Tech Digital Entrepreneurship Programme, connecting selected climate ventures in emerging markets with investors, mentors and ecosystem partners.
Gökhan Dikmener: The Chief Technical Advisor for AI, Digital Transformation and Skills at the United Nations Development Programme’s Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (UNDP ICPSD). With nearly 25 years of experience in international development, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and economic development, he leads global initiatives that leverage artificial intelligence, frontier technologies, and future skills to advance sustainable development. He has designed and managed flagship programmes including the SDG AI Lab, Skills for an Inclusive Future, and Frontier Tech Leaders. His work focuses on strengthening innovation ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurship, and helping governments, businesses, investors, and development partners create the conditions needed for climate technologies and frontier innovations to scale and generate impact in emerging markets. He holds an M.S. in Software Engineering from Boğaziçi University, an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University SAIS, and a B.S. in Economics from Middle East Technical University.
12:00–12:15 | Audience Q&A and Investor–Startup Exchange
An opportunity for participants to raise questions and discuss financing needs, investment opportunities, and potential collaborations.
12:15–12:30 | Closing Remarks by Haluk Haksal – Top Tier Impact Key takeaways, reflections on investment opportunities, and next steps for continued collaboration.