Background

The Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), established under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, is a key mechanism for tracking and reporting progress toward countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). By promoting transparency and accountability, the ETF supports effective climate action at both national and global levels.

To assist developing countries in meeting ETF requirements, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) offers support through initiatives like the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) and national projects such as Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). At the global level, the CBIT Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), implemented by UNEP-CCC, helps countries build the institutional and technical capacities needed for transparent climate reporting.

At the national level, the project "Azerbaijan: Enabling Activities for the Preparation of the Third Biennial Update Report (BUR3) and First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1)"—supported by GEF, implemented by UNEP, and executed by the Azerbaijan Branch of the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC)—is working to develop national transparency reports. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) is leading these efforts, ensuring the country is well prepared to meet ETF requirements and align with global transparency standards.

With many countries across Eurasia, Asia and the Caucasus on similar transparency journeys, this side event will provide a platform for sharing best practices, success stories and lessons learned while preparing their first BTR. The event aims to enhance knowledge exchange across regions, foster regional dialogue, and help countries strengthen their transparency frameworks to accelerate climate action.

Objective

The primary objective of this side event is to boost the confidence of participating country parties in preparing their first BTR by December 31, 2024, by providing practical knowledge from countries that have already completed their BTR. Representatives from Eurasia, Asia, and the Caucasus will share best practices, success stories, and lessons learned from compiling their Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1).

The event will offer key insights into the BTR process, highlight technical challenges, and provide hands-on recommendations to support other countries in meeting their transparency goals.

Target Audience and Language

This side event is targeted towards all transparency practitioners worldwide, especially those experts from relevant ministries and agencies, which implement the national transparency efforts via enabling activities projects on preparation of National Communications and Biennial Transparency Reports, national and global CBIT projects. 

The side-event will be held in English.

Format of the Event 

In-person participation.