​The Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) with the support of the secretariat’s transparency division, UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the government of Zimbabwe, recently concluded a comprehensive workshop on the preparation of biennial transparency reports (BTRs) for developing countries in the Africa region.

Mr. Donald Cooper, the Director of the Transparency Division, commended the workshop, praising the diligent efforts of the parties involved in preparing their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) for timely submission. He also emphasized the Secretariat’s commitment to supporting the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) in fulfilling its responsibilities to developing country parties.

Held on 8-10 May, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the workshop aimed to equip national experts with the requisite skills and knowledge for the timely and accurate submission of their first BTRs, aligning with the enhanced transparency framework’s (ETF) modalities, procedures, and guidelines (MPGs).

Attended by 48 national experts from 35 countries, including BTR coordinators and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory experts, the workshop provided a comprehensive learning experience through a blended approach of presentations, interactive group exercises, and practical sessions.

The hands-on nature of the workshop was well received, fostering a collaborative environment where participants engaged in fruitful peer discussions, shared lessons learned, and strengthened networks with countries that are more advanced in their BTR preparation.

Throughout the three days, participants intensely discussed the ETF, MPGs and the BTRs, and had the opportunity to engage with the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAIIC). This interaction provided valuable feedback on BTR submissions as well as the support available from the committee.

Additionally, experts had the opportunity to utilize a demo version of the UNFCCC ETF reporting tools which strengthened capacity to report progress on the implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

Overall, the workshop highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement. Participants collectively acknowledged the need to fully understand their NDCs and ensure they are written in a direct and clear manner. This would facilitate ease of use when compiling data and information for the BTRs.

Moving forward, countries were encouraged to use existing data effectively, apply flexibility provisions where necessary and engage with each other in this journey. The success of the hands-on training workshop marked a significant step towards bolstering the technical capacity of African countries, ensuring their readiness to fulfill transparency obligations under the Paris Agreement.​