By Invitation Only 

Background

The Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) is the backbone of the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as defined in its Article 13, and it is the internationally-agreed mechanism to monitor the progress of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The Global Environment Facility supports developing countries in building their institutional and technical capacities to meet the requirements of the ETF through: (i) Capacity Building Initiatives for Transparency at the global and national level via UN implementing agencies in the face of UNDP, UNEP and FAO, (ii) Support for reporting obligations under the Convention, i.e., National Communications (NCs) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs); and (iii) Global support for the ETF.

At the global level, GEF supports the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency – Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), implemented by UNEP and executed by UNEP-CCC. This global project coupled with the support provided by the national CBIT projects and enabling activities on NC and BTRs, aim to strengthen national institutions for transparency-related activities in line with national priorities, to provide relevant tools, training, and assistance for meeting the provisions stipulated in Article 13 of the Agreement as well as to assist in the improvement of transparency over time.  

At the national level, the similar projects on capacity building for transparency are implemented by various implementing agencies. For example, the “Capacity Building for Azerbaijan to Meet the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework” aims to enhance Azerbaijan's capacity to implement the Paris Agreement and the “Azerbaijan: Enabling Activities for the  Preparation of the Third Biennial Update Report (BUR3) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)”, being funded by GEF is implemented via UNEP and executed by the Azerbaijan Branch of the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC). The main project beneficiary is the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR).

Since many of the countries implement or plan to implement their national CBIT projects and are part of the global CBIT-GSP, it is intended to bring them together and showcase the example of the transparency progress of the Eurasian and the Caucasian regional networks. The side-event is jointly organized by CBIT-GSP and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC) in the Azerbaijan Pavilion of the Conference of the Parties COP-28, which will be held from November 30th until December 12th 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

Objective

The main objective of this side-event is to present the country-based progress on climate transparency in Eurasia and the Caucasus via support received from national and global CBIT projects and share lessons learned from their journey towards ETF. The speaking countries are also expected to think and discuss about the development progress of their first BTRs and what support needs arise behind this perspective. 

Target Audience and Language

This side event is targeted towards all transparency practitioners worldwide, especially staff from the relevant ministries in countries coordinating national transparency efforts via national and global CBIT projects, and the preparation of National Communications and Biennial Transparency Reports. 

The side-event will be held in English.