By Abbas Nazil
Rwanda has hosted the first centralised group review of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) under the United Nations climate reporting system, marking a new collaborative approach aimed at improving the quality of climate data reporting and strengthening national capacity across least developed countries.
The initiative was organised by UN Climate Change in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and several international transparency partners, bringing together national experts, technical reviewers and development organisations in Kigali for a six-day pilot programme.
The review brought together participants from four least developed countries, including Burkina Faso, Malawi, Niger and Rwanda, alongside institutions such as the LDC Negotiating Group, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations Environment Programme, the CBIT Global Support Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme.
The centralised review model combined technical assessment of national climate reports with practical training sessions designed to improve the use of reporting tools under the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement.
Officials said the approach was designed to address long-standing challenges faced by developing countries, particularly limited technical capacity, insufficient data systems and resource constraints that often affect the preparation of climate reports.
Participants engaged in peer learning exercises, exchanged national experiences and received hands-on support aimed at improving the accuracy and consistency of their Biennial Transparency Reports.
According to organisers, the pilot initiative represents a shift from traditional review formats by integrating capacity building directly into the technical assessment process.
At the opening of the session, speakers emphasized that transparency is not only a procedural requirement under international climate agreements but also a key tool for improving climate governance and informing national policy decisions.
They noted that reliable and country-owned data enables governments to track progress toward their Nationally Determined Contributions, identify implementation gaps and make informed decisions on climate investments and adaptation strategies.
The Kigali pilot also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and South-South collaboration in strengthening transparency systems.
Participating countries were encouraged to learn from each other’s experiences and develop shared solutions to common reporting challenges.
Development partners and technical organisations provided training, expertise and financial support to ensure the success of the initiative, reinforcing the importance of sustained global cooperation in climate reporting efforts.
By the end of the six-day programme, participating countries had made progress in reviewing their transparency reports, improved their understanding of reporting tools and identified practical steps for enhancing future submissions.
They also developed pathways to strengthen institutional capacity and improve data collection systems necessary for more accurate climate reporting.
Experts involved in the process said the centralised review model could serve as a template for future reporting cycles, particularly for other least developed countries and small island developing states.
They added that strengthening transparency systems is essential for ensuring accountability under the Paris Agreement and for linking climate data with effective policy implementation and investment planning.
The initiative is expected to contribute to more consistent and reliable climate reporting globally, while supporting developing countries in meeting their international climate obligations more effectively.
