In a significant step toward strengthening climate transparency and cooperation across the Pacific Transparency Network, over 20 participants from across 12 out of the 14 Pacific Island States in the Network convened for the Regional Workshop on the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) from May 20–23, 2025, in Nadi, Fiji.
This regional workshop, jointly organized by the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency - Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), GIZ/NDC Hub, the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE), UNFCCC, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with the Government of Fiji, aimed to build national capacities in implementing the ETF under the Paris Agreement. The event fostered regional dialogue and provided in-depth technical training on tracking Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), institutional arrangements, and the use of ETF reporting tools.
Supporting National Climate Action and Reporting
This workshop came at a critical time for the Pacific Region as the countries are in the process of updating their NDC as called for by the COP. At the same time, the majority of Pacific Island Countries are preparing or starting to prepare their first Biennial Transparency Report, which shows their commitment to the global climate process under the Paris Agreement, despite their discretion for submitting these reports, This workshop presented a key opportunity to foster collaboration and learning between countries on their BTR preparation and status and also provided a chance to discuss the linkages between the BTR and NDC processes, as countries look to update their NDCs this year.
Over the four-day workshop, the participants engaged in targeted sessions designed to enhance understanding of the ETF modalities, assess the linkages between the BTR and NDC, and to map some of the common challenges in data collection, reporting, and institutional coordination. These were carried out through a blend of presentations, experience sharing and hands on exercises for participants to engage in.
Breakdown of the Workshop
Day one centered on institutional settings and the mapping of associated challenges relating to the development of their national BTRs. Countries worked together in small groups to map common and country specific problems, and devise solutions to these. Some key commonalities identified included access and quality of data, lack of institutional arrangements and stakeholder buy-in, and the challenges of limited human resources within their governments and countries as a whole.
Following the success of the first day, day two of the workshop carried on this momentum with a highly technical day focused on the tracking of NDC actions. The key linkages between the BTR and NDC processes were first highlighted, before participants conducted a hands-on training in compiling information within the Common Tabular Format (CTFs). For many participants, this was their first encounter with the tables and provided an opportunity to interrogate the data and information required, and how the information detailed within the BTR CTFs can bring clarity and ease of reporting under the NDC.
On day three, participants had the chance to learn more on the linkages between national policy and science, focusing on the opportunities that scientific organizations can bring to the processes under the ETF. This was followed up with hands on training of the use of the IPCC Software, where participants were able to use the tools first hand.
Regional Cooperation and Peer Learning
The final day of the workshop took a step away from technical training, and featured a peer learning exchange, coordinated by the Government of Fiji and GGGI. Country representatives from Vanuatu, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea presented lessons learned from their national CBIT projects. Participants also explored Fiji’s institutional arrangements under its Climate Change Act as a model for aligning transparency systems with national legislation.
A special panel with representatives from GGGI, CBIT-GSP, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC), the Pacific Community (SPC), and GIZ/NDC Hub underscored the importance of long-term support and capacity building. Panelists emphasized collaborative pathways for future technical assistance, capacity enhancement, and data system integration in the Pacific.
Their Story: Looking Ahead
Across various breakout sessions throughout the workshop, countries collaborated to map existing systems for greenhouse gas inventories, NDC tracking, and climate finance support. These discussions culminated in the co-creation of draft workplans to strengthen transparency systems tailored to national contexts and needs, especially in the areas of adaptation tracking given the regional context of the impacts of climate change in the pacific region. Overall, the workshop concluded with strong regional commitment to advancing transparency, enhancing institutional coordination, and fostering ongoing collaboration. Participants left equipped with new and enhanced knowledge, shared experiences, and a clearer roadmap to deliver robust and regionally contextual BTRs, aligned with their NDCs.
While there is still a lotto be done, the Pacific Island Countries are demonstrating that despite challenges of size, geography and resources, they remain committed to global climate goals.