African Countries Strengthen Climate Transparency Reporting at UNFCCC Workshop in Mozambique

The workshop centered on preparing Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), a key reporting mechanism under the Paris Agreement.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), together with major international development partners, has concluded a major regional training workshop in Mozambique aimed at strengthening African countries' capacity to prepare high-quality climate transparency reports under the Paris Agreement.

The three-day workshop, held in Maputo from 27 to 29 April 2026, brought together climate experts and government representatives from 41 African countries to improve technical skills, exchange national experiences, and strengthen systems for climate reporting and accountability.

The initiative reflects growing international efforts to help developing countries meet increasingly demanding transparency requirements under the Paris climate framework while improving climate planning, coordination, and access to finance.

Focus on Biennial Transparency Reports Under the Paris Agreement

The workshop centered on preparing Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), a key reporting mechanism under the Paris Agreement.

BTRs require countries to regularly provide detailed information on:

• Greenhouse gas emissions

• Climate mitigation efforts

• Adaptation measures

• Financial support needs

• Progress toward national climate commitments

• Implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

The reports are designed to improve transparency, build international trust, and help track global progress toward climate goals.

African countries are preparing for a new reporting cycle that will require:

• Stronger institutional systems

• Better coordination among agencies

• Improved technical capacity

• More reliable climate data collection

The workshop aimed to help countries strengthen these capacities while sharing practical experiences and solutions.

International Organizations and Partners Collaborate

The training was organized by the UNFCCC Consultative Group of Experts in partnership with several international institutions, including:

• African Development Bank (AfDB)

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA)

The collaboration reflects increasing international recognition that many developing countries require additional technical and financial support to meet transparency obligations under global climate agreements.

Mozambique Highlights Transparency as a Practical Tool

Opening the workshop, Mozambique's Secretary of State for Land and Environment, Gustavo Dgedge, stressed that climate transparency is not only an international reporting obligation but also an essential national planning tool.

"For countries like Mozambique, facing cyclones, floods, and droughts, transparency is not simply an international obligation; it is a practical tool for better planning, stronger coordination, and improved national responses," Dgedge said.

Mozambique is among the African countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, regularly facing severe cyclones, flooding, droughts, and coastal erosion.

Officials noted that stronger climate data and reporting systems can help countries improve disaster preparedness, adaptation planning, and policy effectiveness.

UNDP Emphasizes Transparency as Foundation of Climate Action

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Cleopas Torori highlighted the broader importance of transparency in supporting meaningful climate action.

"Transparency is the foundation upon which climate action is built," Torori said.

"It allows countries to strengthen policies, build trust, and translate ambition into real results."

Climate transparency frameworks are considered essential for ensuring that governments can monitor progress, identify policy gaps, and demonstrate accountability to both citizens and international partners.

Belgium Reaffirms Support for Developing Countries

Representing the Government of Belgium, Nikolaas Swyngedouw, Head of Cooperation at the Diplomatic Bureau of the Kingdom of Belgium, reaffirmed international support for developing countries implementing the Paris Agreement.

"No country should be left behind in implementing the Paris Agreement," Swyngedouw said.

He stressed that strong transparency systems are critical for supporting sustainable development and helping countries transition toward more resilient and climate-adaptive economies.

Developed countries and international institutions continue to play a major role in supporting climate reporting efforts in lower-income nations through technical assistance, training, and financial support.

African Development Bank Highlights Role of Transparency

The African Development Bank also emphasized the strategic importance of climate transparency systems for mobilizing climate finance and accelerating climate action across the continent.

AfDB Mozambique Country Manager Rômulo Correa said transparency is fundamental to trust, accountability, and effective climate governance.

"Transparency is not only a reporting obligation; it is the foundation of trust, accountability, and effective climate action," Correa said.

He explained that robust transparency systems help countries:

• Track climate progress

• Identify policy and financing gaps

• Improve accountability

• Mobilize international climate finance

• Translate commitments into investment opportunities

Correa also highlighted the role of the Africa NDC Hub, an initiative supported by the African Development Bank that provides targeted support to African countries in strengthening climate reporting systems and institutional capacity.

Countries Share Experiences and Practical Lessons

Throughout the workshop, participants exchanged lessons learned from their national experiences implementing climate reporting frameworks.

Discussions focused on practical challenges and solutions related to:

• Data collection and management

• Institutional coordination

• Reporting methodologies

• Capacity building

• Climate finance tracking

• Integration of transparency systems into national planning

Participants also emphasized the value of:

• Regional cooperation

• Peer learning

• Sustained technical support

• Knowledge sharing across countries

Officials said such collaboration is essential for improving climate reporting quality and strengthening implementation of climate commitments across Africa.

Transparency Increasingly Important Under Global Climate Agreements

The Paris Agreement places strong emphasis on transparency as a core mechanism for ensuring global accountability in climate action.

Under the Enhanced Transparency Framework established by the agreement, countries are expected to regularly report on:

• Emissions reductions

• Adaptation efforts

• Financial needs and support

• Progress toward national climate targets

These reporting requirements are intended to strengthen international confidence and support collective global efforts to limit climate change.

However, many developing countries continue to face significant technical and institutional challenges in meeting these obligations.

Africa Faces Major Climate Challenges

African countries are among the most vulnerable globally to climate change despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The continent faces increasing risks from:

• Droughts

• Flooding

• Cyclones

• Desertification

• Food insecurity

• Water shortages

• Infrastructure damage

Experts say stronger transparency systems can help countries better integrate climate action into national development planning while improving access to international climate financing.

Continued Commitment to Climate Capacity Building

At the conclusion of the workshop, the African Development Bank reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with countries and international partners to strengthen transparency systems and climate action across Africa.

Officials stressed that improving reporting capacity is not only about meeting international obligations but also about helping countries design stronger policies, attract investment, and build more resilient economies.

As climate risks continue escalating across the continent, international organizations say strengthening transparency and accountability systems will remain a critical component of Africa's climate response and sustainable development efforts.