Tokyo, Japan, 20-21 May 2024 – A representative of the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) participated in the Global Transparency Forum - Driving ambitious climate action through stronger collaboration on transparency, organized under the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency – Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Forum brought together representatives from more than 100 countries, international organizations, United Nations agencies, financing mechanisms, the scientific community, and national authorities responsible for implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The primary objective of the event was to discuss practical aspects of implementing the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, while strengthening synergies between the preparation of countries' first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and the updating of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
During the plenary sessions and thematic discussions, participants reviewed the key outcomes of COP28, countries' readiness for submitting their first BTRs, the development of national monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, institutional capacity-building, improvements in interagency coordination mechanisms, and the application of modern digital tools for climate data management. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of climate transparency as a strategic instrument for enhancing the effectiveness of national climate policies and increasing ambition in achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
The Forum also featured a High-Level Dialogue with representatives of the COP28, COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, the UNFCCC Secretariat, UNEP, UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, and national climate authorities. Participants discussed the role of transparency in the preparation of the next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), mechanisms for mobilizing climate finance, and the importance of robust reporting systems for assessing progress towards achieving global climate goals.
The SIC ICSD representative actively participated in thematic working sessions focusing on institutional arrangements for implementing the Enhanced Transparency Framework, policy coherence, technical capacity development, and the exchange of international experience in preparing Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). The discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing national climate reporting systems, and integrating climate-related data into strategic sustainable development planning processes.
The Forum provided an important platform for exchanging international best practices on the implementation of CBIT projects, strengthening partnerships among countries and international organizations, and improving the coordination of technical assistance supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The knowledge and practical experience gained during the event will contribute to further strengthening SIC ICSD's cooperation with international partners in the field of climate transparency, enhancing climate monitoring systems, and improving climate reporting capacities across Central Asia.
The participation of SIC ICSD in the Global Transparency Forum contributes to strengthening regional capacity for climate governance and is fully aligned with the mandate of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development to promote scientific and information cooperation among the countries of Central Asia. The knowledge gained and partnerships established through the Forum will support the implementation of the climate-related priorities of the Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development of Central Asia (REP4SD) 2020-2030, including the enhancement of climate monitoring and reporting systems, strengthening institutional capacities across the region, promoting regional cooperation on climate policy, and improving the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area of REP4SD No 4 dedicated to SDG 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” |
| 4.3 Assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilites through the application of corresponding models of a climate change impact on water resources, terrestrial ecosystems and natural disasters, tackling the development of state policies and strategies in this area. |