Background
The implementation of the enhanced transparency framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement has reached a critical milestone. More than half of the Parties to the Paris Agreement submitted their first biennial transparency reports (BTRs), reflecting a significant effort, dedicated time and resources to bringing this achievement to life. Following the submission of the first BTRs, the technical expert reviews have already been conducted for 32 countries, and the first Facilitative, Multilateral Consideration of Progress convened in Bonn during the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies, marking the full cycle of ETF implementation. 2025 is the year when all Parties must submit new, more ambitious NDCs to realign global efforts with the Paris Agreement goals, stay on track for 1.5°C pathways, and secure a low-emission, resilient future for all.
As Parties prepare their NDCs, the ETF provides the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and increased ambition. By building national systems, institutional arrangements and technical capacity, transparency fosters long-term change. It strengthens climate governance and accountability, facilitates science-based policymaking, and enables countries to access finance, track implementation, and drive results.
The Global Transparency Forum – High-Level Segment takes place at this important juncture. It builds on the momentum created by the COP 29 Presidency through Baku Transparency Platform (BTP), which has prioritized transparency as a cornerstone of implementation, and aims to carry this momentum forward into COP 30. The segment will serve as a political platform to celebrate progress, highlight leadership, and reinforce commitment to sustaining and deepening transparency efforts as part of the broader climate agenda.
Objective
The High-Level Segment will frame the technical discussions of the Global Transparency Forum, providing strategic direction and political visibility. It will highlight the tangible outcomes of transparency investments and feed into global discussions on climate ambition, finance, and implementation at COP 30. The segment will reinforce the long-term vision of the ETF as a tool for national policy transformation.
The specific objectives of the High-Level Segment are:
- Reaffirming high-level political commitment to the implementation of the ETF;
- Recognizing national leadership and innovation in developing and submitting BTRs;
- Highlighting the role of transparency in preparing and implementing ambitious NDCs;
- Providing a political bridge from COP 29 to COP 30, reinforcing transparency as an enabler of the Paris Agreement goals.
Expected Outcomes
- Renewed political momentum for ETF implementation as a foundation for ambition and accountability.
- Strategic messages to inform high-level discussions at COP 30 on support, ambition and implementation.
- Recognition of countries’ achievements and a collective call to action for sustained capacity-building and finance.
- Renewed partnerships and collaboration between countries, and development partners
Tentative Programme
The segment will be held as a 90-minute high-level dialogue on 3 September 2025 at 9:30-11:00.
PART I: POLITICAL SEGMENT
This segment would spotlight political leadership and reinforcing global commitment to transparency, particularly at this critical moment leading into COP30 featuring keynote remarks from key political and institutional leaders.
PART II: MODERATED HIGH-LEVEL PANEL
This segment would feature the role of support providing institutions in strengthening national transparency arrangements and enhancing ambition with financial and technical support for capacity building and implementation.