Copenhagen, Denmark – May 28, 2025 – To accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency - Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are hosting a pivotal two-day virtual webinar series concluding today. The event, titled "Advancing Climate Transparency in MENA, Francophone and Lusophone Networks: Exploring Digital Tools for the Enhanced Transparency framework," is designed to empower nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as well as French and Portuguese-speaking countries, with the digital solutions needed for robust climate action reporting.
As countries face the critical task of tracking and reporting their progress on climate commitments, the webinar series addresses the essential shift from fragmented data collection to integrated and streamlined digital systems.
The first session, held on Tuesday, May 27, focused on strengthening national Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems. A key highlight was the demonstration of the UNDP-developed Climate Transparency Platform, a customizable Digital Public Good. Seychelles, the pioneering country to pilot the platform, shared its firsthand experience in adapting and deploying the tool to fit its national context, offering valuable insights to other participating nations.
"Effective climate action is built on a foundation of transparency," said Alejandro Regatero, Project Officer and CBIT-GSP Team member at UNEP-CCC, during his opening remarks. "This webinar series is a crucial step in equipping countries with the innovative digital tools necessary to meet their ETF commitments and foster greater trust and accountability in our collective climate efforts."
Today’s session centers on the CBIT-GSP's own Climate Transparency Platform (CTP), a comprehensive hub for all aspects of the ETF. The training is specifically tailored for national focal points and content editors who are responsible for maintaining the accuracy and consistency of the data on the platform. Participants are receiving hands-on guidance on navigating the platform, editing data, and effectively managing content. Experiences from South Africa, Lebanon, and Cabo Verde are also anticipated to be shared, fostering peer-to-peer learning.
"Digital solutions are transformative in our fight against climate change. By providing tools like the Climate Transparency Platform and fostering collaboration across regions, we are empowering countries to build robust, transparent systems that not only meet international reporting requirements but also drive more ambitious climate action at home."
The event has brought together national transparency coordinators, senior climate policy experts, and MRV practitioners from across the three networks. With proceedings conducted in English and live translations in Arabic and French, the series ensures wide accessibility and participation.
The ultimate goal of the webinar series is to build a strong regional capacity for climate transparency, promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and foster closer collaboration. By strengthening the skills and systems for tracking progress, the initiative aims to significantly enhance the ability of participating countries to contribute to the global climate agenda with credibility and precision.