Ankara, Türkiye – May 29, 2025
A landmark Regional Technical Workshop aimed at preparing countries from Eurasia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus for the Technical Expert Review (TER) under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) was successfully held from May 27 to May 29, 2025, in Ankara, Türkiye. The event was jointly organized by the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency - Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP) in collaboration with FAO, UNFCCC CGE, UNEP, and UNDP, and hosted by the Government of Türkiye.
Strengthening Transparency and Capacity Building
The workshop was designed to support country teams in enhancing their technical and institutional capacities for the TER, an essential step following the submission of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) as required under the Paris Agreement. The TER process provides countries with an opportunity to showcase their progress, identify areas for improvement, and receive constructive feedback from expert reviewers.
Participants also engaged in detailed discussions on key reporting tools, including the IPCC Inventory Software for greenhouse gas inventory preparation and the ETF Reporting Tool, which supports the structured submission of reports under ETF provisions.
The Consultative Group of Experts and the UNFCCC secretariat are committed to collaborating with partners in implementing transparency-related activities and enhancing the capacity of developing countries. Yali Wang, Associate Programme Officer at the UNFCCC secretariat, highlighted that collaboration is key to harnessing collective strengths and amplifying the impact of capacity-building efforts to implement the ETF.
This workshop, co-organized with CBIT-GSP and its partners, supports developing country Parties in preparing for Technical Expert Review (TER) of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). With the TER process evolving rapidly, the UNFCCC secretariat is ready to share the latest updates, technical insights, and best practices, ensuring consistency and clarity in climate reporting.
This joint effort complements CBIT-GSP’s work, reinforcing transparency and accuracy in climate data while supporting Parties in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
A Collaborative Effort to Enhance Climate Action
The CBIT-GSP initiative fosters global transparency efforts through capacity-building support and the establishment of regional networks to encourage south-south collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This workshop brought together representatives from two Regional Networks—Central Asia and the Caucasus, and Eurasia—to strengthen technical capabilities in preparation for the TER.
Participants engaged in practical exercises, interactive simulations, and peer-exchange sessions, ensuring preparedness for every stage of the TER process—before, during, and after the review period. Country teams also discussed national and international coordination, preparatory steps for TER, and shared practical experiences, with Türkiye and Kazakhstan providing firsthand insights.
Through the TER simulation exercise, participants engaged in a mock review session. The event highlighted regional good practices, common challenges, and the latest methodologies for tracking Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and greenhouse gas inventories (GHGIs).
Ranka Radic, an inventory expert from Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscored the value of practical exercises using the IPCC software and ETF tool, as well as examples provided by international experts on reporting flexibility. These insights will enhance the accuracy and transparency of BTR1, which is still under development and expected to finalize by the end of year. After submission, it will undergo the Technical Expert Review (TER) to assess compliance with the Paris Agreement. During the Regional Technical Workshop in Ankara, we gained key insights into the TER process, challenges, and responsibilities. Also, interactive sessions provided guidelines to help countries prepare effectively for the review. BiH representatives actively contributed, reinforcing the country’s commitment to transparent climate reporting.
Looking Ahead
The successful completion of this Regional Technical Workshop marks a significant step forward in advancing ETF reporting and transparency in the region. With enhanced technical capacity and strengthened collaboration, participating countries are now better equipped to engage in the TER process and drive ambitious climate action.
As early BTR submitters, Türkiye and Kazakhstan have already undergone the TER process and shared their experiences with other countries from Eurasia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, particularly regarding scheduling, communication, and logistical arrangements. The TER review process requires careful preparation well in advance, including venue booking, expert invitations, logistical organization, and stakeholder coordination.
The workshop also emphasized reporting flexibility provisions, transparency in greenhouse gas inventories, and NDC tracking. Interactive exercises focused on prioritization strategies and long-term improvements in BTR2 reporting.
Through hands-on exercises, country dialogues, and expert-led presentations, participants left equipped with actionable strategies to enhance transparency and climate reporting in their respective countries.