It is with pride that I introduce the 2023 Regional Collaboration Centres Annual Report, and with gratitude that I reflect on the remarkable work achieved advancing regional climate action. This report demonstrates the dedication and work of the Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs), and also exemplifies the determination and efforts of all regional and international stakeholders to tackle climate change.

In 2023, throughout the six regions they cover, the RCCs have continued to foster collaboration and drive impactful change across a diverse array of work areas. From climate finance to adaptation, from mitigation to transparency, the scope of their work is as broad as it is vital. In 2023, I noticed how the RCCs stood as dependable centres of support, empowering stakeholders to navigate the complexities of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and seize the opportunities it presents.

Credit: Maria Aljishi

Benefitting from the support of the RCCs was crucial to deploy the capacity building programme on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This programme, a cornerstone of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body’s efforts, aims to empower all stakeholders to participate in the new market mechanism established by the Paris Agreement. I look forward to more activities being led in 2024, with the continued assistance of the RCCs.

This mechanism promotes sustainable development and cooperation between countries and other stakeholders. It is an essential part of the toolbox at countries’ disposal to support the implementation of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which is why the activities led by the RCCs in 2023 were of utmost importance, and in fact key, to enable the transition we need to a sustainable and more resilient future. Countries are to submit their revised NDCs in 2025, which will require further and considerable RCC support across all six regions.

Central to the success of the RCCs is their collaborative nature. Themselves established by partnerships, forged between UN Climate Change and host countries, as well as other regional operational partners, RCCs serve as catalysts for innovation and climate action. This report allows us all to look into these collaborations, understand their key role and witness their impact towards implementing the Paris Agreement.

The 2023 Annual Report stands as a testament to our shared commitment to a sustainable future and I am delighted to continue collaborating with the Regional Collaboration Centres in my capacity as Chair of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body.

Maria Aljishi

Chair, Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism Supervisory Body

So much has changed since countries signed the Paris Agreement almost a decade ago. The depth and breadth of climate action has grown. More countries are taking action – building renewable energy, increasing resilience, and fighting to prevent irreversible loss and damage.

Our Regional Collaboration Centres are playing their part. They are our hands, eyes, and ears on the ground. They serve more than 140 developing countries and billions of people.

RCCs map and build networks of actors and experts, assessing needs and providing support. The relationships they hold – across governments, civil society, and among experts – are incredibly valuable to the Secretariat.

Credit: UN Climate Change

These relationships become meetings and workshops, the outputs of which find their way into national climate policies and plans, and back to the secretariat, informing our products and processes. In the past year, the RCCs have supported over 200 capacity-building workshops and four climate weeks.

In 2023, the RCCs have grown their own expertise and reinforced their teams in the fields for Article 6 and carbon pricing, Nationally Determined Contributions (national climate plans), long-term strategies, and climate finance. This expertise will be essential to tackle an expanding workload. RCCs will need to help countries create new and more ambitious NDCs, alongside National Adaptation Plans, as well as work on finance, loss and damage, transparency, and carbon markets.

Among these many priorities, a few stand out. We need a new generation of NDCs. These plans should be designed to radically cut greenhouse gas emissions and to keep the Paris goal of limiting temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees alive, while also helping people adapt.  More than that, they should signal the world we want to live in. A better, more prosperous world. To do so, they must show donors and investors the opportunities in climate action, across all regions. They must also be realistic, implementable, and take account of the very different circumstances different developing countries face. Ultimately, a new generation of NDCs requires stronger RCCs.

The climate is changing. Storms are growing stronger, droughts longer, and the heat is rising. Every country needs a plan to adapt and the expertise and resources to implement it. RCCs will work with countries to support the formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans, helping build the skills to quantify needs, and making the case for more investment in resilience.

As I look forward to the coming year, I see significant challenges ahead. But I’m not daunted. Because I know that the RCCs set us up for success. The work they do and the relationships they hold make the process stronger. More importantly, they strengthen climate action around the world. 

I encourage you to read this report and learn more.

Simon Stiell

Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change 

Since 2013, UN Climate Change has established six RCCs around the world. These Regional Collaboration Centres partner with host organizations to mobilize networks and enable climate action at the regional level.

Climate change is a transboundary issue that requires collective action and cooperation. The RCCs facilitate collaboration, partnerships, and dialogue among governments and stakeholders at a regional level. This fosters a coordinated approach to climate adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable development.

The RCCs support a diverse project portfolio covering issues at the heart of the Convention and the Paris Agreement – adaptation, mitigation, transparency, climate finance, and technology transfer. RCCs work on cross-cutting issues such as innovation and stakeholder engagement, including non-Party stakeholders, youth and gender groups.

Each RCC serves Parties and non-Party stakeholders in their regions with capacity-building activities, technical support and strategic networking. They source know-how and resources to drive clean development in developing countries, organizing work around three broad goals: 

1. Raising national ambition
2. Supporting and strengthening regional collaboration
3. Accelerating action towards the Paris Agreement goals
    

The RCCs cover more than 140 countries in six regions. They are located in:

• RCC Asia-Pacific (Bangkok, Thailand) – in partnership with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
• RCC Caribbean (St Georges, Grenada) – in partnership with the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation
• RCC East and Southern Africa (Kampala, Uganda) – in partnership with the East Africa Development Bank
• RCC Latin America (Panama City) currently hosted by the UNEP Panama office 
• RCC Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (Dubai, UAE) – in partnership with World Green Economy Organization
• RCC West and Central Africa (Lomé, Togo) – in partnership with the Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement

The RCC partnerships are established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the UN Climate Change secretariat and the hosting partners. Each MoU defines areas of work, modalities of collaboration, and roles and responsibilities. A Steering Committee guides the work of each RCC and can take necessary action to improve performance or operations. 

The work of the RCC teams in the six regions is coordinated by the RCC global team located at the UN Climate Change headquarters in Bonn. Each RCC team consists of a Regional Lead and specialists for Article 6, NDC and LT-LEDS, Climate Finance and Innovation. This structure ensures broad coverage of workstreams established by the Paris Agreement. RCCs are looking to include dedicated expertise on adaptation. 

At the end of the year, the RCCs reflected on the outcomes of COP 28 and their specific regional priorities to shape workplans structured along three aims moving forward:

1. Ambition – Maximize the magnitude and extent of commitments to climate action
2. Implementation – Facilitate implementation of climate action to achieve commitments
3. Oversight and Coordination – Support mobilization and coordination of climate action in the regions

The RCCs also received further recognition from Parties at COP 28 in decision 1.CMA.5. The decision text recognizes the need for capacity-building work at regional level and the role of the RCCs as UN Climate Change regional hubs. 

 
Global Achievements in 2023

Throughout 2023, the six RCCs dedicated efforts and resources to boosting regional preparedness towards full implementation of the Paris Agreement. The RCCs facilitated establishment of robust domestic infrastructures enabling active participation in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. They supported countries to increase understanding of the process and develop and implement updated NDCs accordingly, pivotal in steering global climate mitigation efforts.

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCCs also serve as regional platforms for climate finance support, supporting stakeholders with facilitating access to existing sources of funds. Additionally, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, concerted efforts were made to promote innovative solutions tailored to their adaptation challenges. Beyond individual countries, the Centres serve as collaborative platforms to foster effective and collective climate action, amplifying impact and also advancing sustainable development goals. The 2023 achievements of all RCCs are quite considerable. 

Thanks to their convening power, expertise, networking, and communication efforts, the six RCCs engaged in an impressive array of diverse activities and on many topics in 2023. Together, they organized, co-organized, or participated in a total of 235 capacity building events, serving as key regional hubs for knowledge sharing and collaboration on climate action initiatives. These events covered all working areas necessary for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.
 
The RCCs played an important role supporting 10 Clean Development Mechanism projects and Programme of Activities. They also supported 17 standardized baselines.  In 2023, RCCs addressed 100 individual queries from stakeholders and provided guidance on critical topics such as the CDM transition to the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism. These efforts strengthened carbon market mechanisms and facilitated the implementation of sustainable development projects.

They also conducted four regional surveys following four regional dialogues on carbon pricing and four training sessions on Article 6 delivered at the Regional Climate Weeks, which the RCCs co-organized. These surveys helped assess the effectiveness of capacity-building efforts and gathered feedback on needs and regional intelligence for continuous improvement. Regional Climate Weeks were held in four regions – Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. 

Two comprehensive reports were produced in 2023. One report examined carbon pricing initiatives in Nigeria, and the other looked at Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategies. Results of the LT-LEDs report were presented at Africa Climate Week 2023 and at the COP 28 UN Climate Change Conference and will be published in April 2024. These reports provide valuable insights and guidance for policymakers and practitioners to advance climate change mitigation efforts.

The RCCs’ core identity lies in their establishment as partnerships. In a major milestone for 2023, the RCCs renewed these partnerships and forged new collaborations with six MoUs signed. These collaborations enhance the capacity of our regional centres to deliver impactful initiatives and support climate action by countries and other stakeholders. In addition to these six MoUs, RCC Asia Pacific also facilitated the signature of a framework MoU between the UN Climate Change secretariat and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific.

In 2023, the six RCCs expanded their teams by adding 19 specialists – in Article 6 and Carbon Pricing, and NDCs and LT-LEDS, Climate Finance and Innovation. This reinforces our capacity to deliver high-quality support and services to stakeholders. 

Finally, the RCCs engaged in innovative communication activities. They participated in a climate reality TV programme and sent 109 newsletters to subscribed stakeholders. They launched a LinkedIn Group that amassed 3,919 members and over 90,130 views of 47 posts by the end of the year. These efforts amplified reach and engaged key stakeholders, fostering a strong community of climate actors committed to driving positive regional change.

RCC Asia-Pacific was established in September 2015 by UN Climate Change and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) to provide support to governments and non-Party stakeholders including non-governmental organizations, youth, indigenous peoples, local communities, and the private sector across Asia and the Pacific. 

The Centre channels local, regional and global resources into climate action to facilitate implementation of NDCs and National Adaptation Plans. This also advances roadmaps to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other relevant policies and strategies for countries in the region. RCC Asia-Pacific supports 36 countries, including seven LDCs and 16 SIDs.

Partners Joint Statement

In 2023, the RCC Asia-Pacific, operating under the strategic partnership between the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and UN Climate Change achieved remarkable milestones. Together, we accelerated the transition of the Asia-Pacific region towards sustainability, resilience and inclusivity. As a cornerstone, RCC Asia-Pacific drove tangible climate action on the ground, ensuring the region's active participation in global climate initiatives.

Since its inception in 2015, RCC Asia-Pacific has continuously evolved its scope of support, as evidenced by the renewed Memorandum of Understanding we signed at COP 28. The expanded focus areas now encompass mitigation, adaptation, transparency, means of implementation, and cross-cutting issues such as private sector engagement, sectoral engagement, youth involvement, gender considerations, and engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. RCC Asia-Pacific's role in assisting developing country Parties with participation in Article 6 and their capacity building support for the development of nationally determined contributions underscores its commitment to fostering equitable and comprehensive climate action for all in the region. The RCC continues to be the vital link between the region and the UN Climate Change secretariat. 

Throughout 2023, RCC Asia-Pacific has leveraged localized expertise and fostered regional intelligence through stakeholder mapping and convening. It has facilitated the creation and enhancement of regional networks and collaborations and thereby maximized the impacts of implementing the Paris Agreement. 

RCC Asia-Pacific demonstrated its commitment to facilitating knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and coordinating efforts among diverse stakeholders by co-organizing or participating in more than 40 events. This included active involvement to deliver a successful Asia Pacific Climate Week, covering diverse topics such as response measures and just transition, adaptation, carbon pricing approaches, long-term strategies, youth empowerment, and more. The Centre also provided direct country support, technical assistance and facilitated access to and mobilization of climate finance for mitigation and adaptation projects identified by developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

In conclusion, the work accomplished by RCC Asia-Pacific in 2023 is a testament to our shared commitment to catalyze climate action and foster regional cooperation. As we look ahead to intensifying support to developing countries in the region as the 2025 NDC submission deadline approaches, we reaffirm our dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and partnership. We look forward to jointly operationalizing the collaboration on Article 6 through the Article 6 Implementation Partnership. Both IGES and UN Climate Change remain committed to shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.  

Credit: UN Climate Change

Main Achievements in 2023

The Asia-Pacific region faces significant challenges due to climate change, with diverse impacts across its vast geography. Rising sea levels threaten low-lying coastal areas and island nations, such as the Solomon Islands and parts of Indonesia, exacerbating risks of flooding, saltwater intrusion, and erosion. Other weather events such as typhoons and droughts happen more frequently, affecting millions of people's livelihoods, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Credit: UN Climate Change

In countries like Vietnam, where large populations are reliant on agriculture, changes in temperature disrupt food production and water availability. As glaciers melt in the Himalayas, urban centres across the region, including megacities like Manila, face heightened risks from heatwaves or air pollution, and need more resilient infrastructure resilience. Indigenous communities, particularly in the Pacific Islands, experience disproportionate impacts on their traditional lifestyles and biodiversity.

Mitigating and adapting to these climate challenges require coordinated regional efforts to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while adapting to changing conditions and enhancing resilience through sustainable development and innovation.

Against this backdrop, RCC Asia-Pacific played a pivotal role throughout the year by providing localized expertise, building capacities, enhancing regional networks, and fostering collaboration. The RCC teamed up with development partners, academia, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, private sector organizations, think tanks, youth networks, local networks, women networks, financial institutes including Multilateral Development Banks, public-private enterprises and policymakers as key actors from the region towards the successful organization of Asia-Pacific Climate Week. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCC support covered a wide range of technical issues such as assisting with two CDM standardized baselines to organizing strategic events on decarbonizing the transport sector and engaging regional stakeholders. This included work with YECAP, the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform in the region, established by UNDP in collaboration with RCC in Asia-Pacific, UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF South Asia, YOUNGO, with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency. The RCC hosted the YECAP Climate Negotiators Training 2023 in collaboration with YOUNGO and the International Youth Climate Movement. It also included identifying areas for action to support implementation of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

In addition to these efforts, the RCC remained committed to disseminate information to subscribers with 19 newsletters, providing stakeholders with the latest news, research findings, and opportunities to engage with RCC Asia-Pacific and the UN Climate Change secretariat.

RCC Asia-Pacific was able to leverage about USD 200,000 in funding to advance work relating to Article 6, carbon pricing instruments and youth climate action in the region. In 2023, RCC Asia-Pacific work focused mainly on adaptation, Article 6 and carbon pricing approaches, NDCs and LT-LEDS, and climate finance. 

Adaptation

Of the 36 developing countries supported by the RCC Asia-Pacific, only eight have submitted a NAP. As the region includes seven LDCs and 16 SIDS, RCC Asia-Pacific strives to connect these countries to support providers in the region.

For example, the RCC participated in a writing workshop organized by the LDC Expert Group to create NAPs. During the workshop, the RCC Asia-Pacific showcased how it can assist countries in connecting with various regionally accredited entities. In October, the RCC supported the Pacific Regional Gathering of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform. The event highlighted the role of the RCC as the UN Climate Change regional presence.

At the end of the year, RCC Asia-Pacific onboarded an Adaptation Specialist to better meet the identified needs of the region. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Article 6 and Carbon Pricing Approaches

Raising awareness of opportunities and challenges in non-market and market mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement was a core deliverable for this region in 2023. In a diverse region such as the Asia-Pacific, thoroughly mapping each country's needs, status, and priorities contained in NDCs is essential to designing targeted support. RCC Asia-Pacific established this database, a key 2023 deliverable for our work moving forward. More importantly, Article 6 was established as a dedicated area of support in the region, setting a clear direction to transition from the CDM.

In 2023, the RCC co-organized the ASEAN Carbon Pricing Conference, delivered the Regional Dialogues on Carbon Pricing/Article 6 at APCW 2023, conducted a clinic on corresponding adjustments for Thailand, and launched support for Laos and Mongolia under the Collaborative Instruments for Ambitious Climate Action with in-country workshops.
 

NDCs and LT-LEDS

All countries in the Asia-Pacific region have submitted NDCs, and 12 countries have submitted more than two NDC updates with varying levels of ambition for emission reductions. Furthermore, 13 of the 36 countries have developed LT-LEDS and 21 countries have made carbon neutrality pledges, in addition to one already carbon neutral (Niue). In 2023, RCC Asia-Pacific looked at the progress of NDC implementation and important sectors in the region, with transport and energy sectors emerging as key. These findings will be further examined in 2024 and can bolster support for the NDCs 3.0.

Credit: UN Climate Change

A series of subregional consultation and capacity-building workshops to mobilize transport ministries and key stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to help advance the goals of the Paris Agreement through transport strategies. A subregional workshop was dedicated to the East and North-East Asia and North and Central Asia subregions in which the RCC participated.
 
RCC Asia-Pacific co-organized a capacity building training for LT-LEDS at the Regional Climate Week with the NDC Partnership and UNDP Climate Promise, with technical support from the 2050 Pathways Platform, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Asia LEDS Partnership. Taking regional needs into account, the event provided knowledge, skills, and networks to effectively develop, implement, and monitor LT-LEDS. It encouraged collaboration among countries, organizations and stakeholders involved in LT-LEDS processes. 

Climate Finance

In the Asia-Pacific region, Needs-based Finance aims to facilitate access to and mobilization of climate finance for priority mitigation and adaptation projects identified by developing countries. RCC Asia-Pacific is heavily involved in the project, which held a series of workshops for target subregions in 2023. Now, focus will shift to developing proposals for specific sectors and priority areas in ASEAN and Central Asia and South Caucasus countries. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

UN Global Compact Malaysia and Brunei is pleased to collaborate with RCC Asia-Pacific, a valued partner whose efforts have been instrumental in advancing regional sustainability.

In 2023, UNGCMYB and RCC Asia-Pacific co-organized the event Reshaping Tomorrow: Asian Private Sector Leadership in Climate Action and Resilience. The event brought together C-suite leaders, executive directors of UN Global Compact Regional Networks, and gender and youth panelists from the region. The roundtable focused on Asian private sector leaders who embarked on successful decarbonization journeys that translate to broader societal benefits. The event also focused on supporting a transition to decent quality jobs and building inclusive societies.
 
Furthermore, at the UNGCMYB Sustainability Celebration Night in 2023, RCC Asia-Pacific was one of the highlighted partners making a positive mark on sustainability and inspiring others to integrate sustainability into their business strategies. UNGCMYB was also privileged to be one of UN Climate Change’s host to deliver a successful Asia Pacific Climate Week 2023 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, an opportunity facilitated by our partnership with RCC Asia-Pacific. 

UNGCMYB joins RCC Asia-Pacific in its collaborative approach to accelerating climate action in the region. We look forward to continued efforts to inspire positive change within the business community and significantly contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. We also look forward to collaborating closely in 2024 as we move forward in this critical time of climate action.

In 2013, UN Climate Change partnered with the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation at St. George’s University to establish RCC Caribbean. The RCC channels local, regional and global resources into climate action to facilitate implementation of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region.

Today, RCC Caribbean is hosted by WINDREF on the island of Grenada. The RCC supports 16 SIDS across the Caribbean region, one of which is also an LDC.
 

Partners Joint Statement

In 2023, the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for the Caribbean (RCC Caribbean) and the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF) marked 10 years of partnership. This milestone saw a new leadership and a significant expansion of the RCC Caribbean team, resulting in the deployment of dedicated experts to support the Article 6 capacity-building programme and carbon pricing approaches, the development and implementation of NDCs and LT-LEDS and the work of the United Nations Global Innovation Hub. 

The RCC seeks to support the development and implementation of NDCs, facilitate participation in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, formulate National Adaptation Plans, and engage all layers of national, regional and local stakeholders. WINDREF's contribution throughout the year has evolved as the scope of support provided to stakeholders in the Caribbean region has broadened. 
In parallel to a continuous interaction and engagement with both Party and non-Party stakeholders in the region, the RCC Caribbean undertook many capacity-building activities, such as:

• Virtual and in-person training across a diverse portfolio of work programmes, including climate finance, Article 6 and carbon pricing, transparency requirements, and other cross-cutting areas such as innovation and youth engagement
• National in-person and virtual engagements to better understand needs and priorities Support in the organization of the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW) in Panama, and organization of events
• Attendance and organization of two side events at COP 28 in the UAE
• Attendance and organization of a side event on International Collaborative Programs at St. George’s University Annual Research Day

COP 28 outcomes recognize the need for capacity-building work at the regional level. RCC Caribbean seeks to intensify support to countries in the region as the world gears up to submit new and updated NDCs in early 2025. The RCC will strive to provide technical support on the means of implementation for a successful transition to a low-carbon and highly resilient future. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Main Achievements in 2023

The Caribbean region faces significant challenges due to climate change. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities and lead to increased erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion, potentially jeopardizing freshwater sources and the region’s infrastructure. Hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming more frequent and more intense, devastating communities and economies. Coral reefs are bleaching due to warming waters, with impacts to marine biodiversity and coastal protection. SIDS are particularly vulnerable, with limited resources to adapt, recover from climate impacts and invest in resilient infrastructure. At the same time, despite abundant renewable resources, most Caribbean countries rely mostly on imports and use of fossil fuels and face significant obstacles to a clean energy transition. International support and cooperation are essential to address risk and safeguard the future of the Caribbean region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

This shows why RCC Caribbean is a crucial resource for the region. By facilitating collaboration among stakeholders such as government representatives, businesses, MDBs, international and regional organizations, and civil society, RCC Caribbean fosters advances knowledge exchange, capacity building, and innovative solutions. It provides vital support to develop and implement climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, with efforts to enable access to climate finance, participation in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement or promotion of innovative local sustainable development and resilience solutions. In 2023, RCC Caribbean engaged across a diverse portfolio of work programmes that include mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, transparency, and other cross-cutting areas such as innovation and youth engagement. In collaboration with partners and RCC Latin America, RCC Caribbean co-organized the Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week, delivering two events on NDC and LT-LEDS support to countries with the NDC Partnership and three capacity building workshops on Article 6 and carbon pricing. 

Throughout the year, the RCC organized and supported over 20 capacity building events including webinars and workshops, as well as multiple one-to-one interviews and direct engagement with countries and regional organizations. This year’s priorities focused on building capacity to access climate finance, to develop and implement NDCs, to enable participation in Article 6 and to promote innovative solutions to support the region’s transformation. 

Climate Finance for Sustainable Development and Resilience

Developing projects at scale remains a challenge for the Caribbean region. Access to climate finance is essential to enable sustainable development and support building resilience in the region. To address this, the RCC engaged in activities that enable regional stakeholders to benefit from funding.

Credit: UN Climate Change

For example, interactive discussions at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States’ Caribbean Needs-based Finance Project provided six member states of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts and Nevis with an opportunity to share experiences and information on priority climate finance needs and common challenges. During the workshop in Grenada, country representatives shared information to support project proposals to mobilize finance from both public and private sources at the international, regional, and national levels. In addition, RCC Caribbean also joined technical dialogues by the IADB at the Regional Climate Change Platform of Ministries of Economy and Finance of Latin America and the Caribbean to position the RCC as an information hub for stakeholders and country institutions. 
 

Mitigation and Resilience as a Co-Benefit

The Caribbean region contributes only a small percentage of global GHG emissions. However, the region’s energy sector still relies heavily on fossil fuels – which are mostly imported – for electricity generation and other activities. This means vulnerable Caribbean economies are often affected by high energy costs and oil price fluctuations in a region with great clean energy potential. Collective efforts towards a Caribbean energy transition can cost-effectively increase energy security. Sustainable energy systems also promote greater resilience for communities that are highly vulnerable to extreme weather and other climate change impacts.

RCC Caribbean worked towards energy transformation and other mitigation approaches by raising awareness and organizing events. The RCC held five capacity-building events on development and implementation of NDCs, and 10 on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon pricing approaches and carbon markets, including an innovative Emission Trading Simulation Workshop. The RCC also strengthened collaboration with stakeholders in the region including the OECS, NDC Partnership, UNDP Climate Promise, UN Environment, German Agency for International Cooperation, Island Innovation, and more. Collaboration and networking allow regional partners to share insights and enhance collaboration related to NDCs, NAPS and broader climate action.
 

Innovation

Caribbean SIDS are particularly vulnerable to climate change and require access to innovative solutions, including financing instruments, emerging technologies, and capacity building.

Developing these solutions can lead the region towards more resilient economies. Innovation in Caribbean SIDS should be rooted in home-grown solutions that use traditional knowledge of local and indigenous peoples and address core human needs such as nutrition, health, mobility and shelter. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Putting a spotlight on existing solutions that cut across sectors and address both mitigation and adaptation in the Caribbean enables transformative change. To accomplish this, RCC Caribbean collaborated with RCC Asia-Pacific to co-organize an event at COP 28 on Promoting Transformative Climate Innovations in Small Island Developing States. This opened space for knowledge exchange and highlighted support available to SIDS in various regions. Key partners spoke, including the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, and Island Innovation. RCC Caribbean also led interviews with the government of Grenada and three cities in Belize, St. Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda to gather information on specific needs and identify climate and sustainability solutions. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCC Caribbean, through the Collaborative Instruments for Ambitious Climate Action initiative, has been instrumental in propelling the Dominican Republic towards an Emission Trading Scheme. In 2022, RCC Caribbean worked closely with the Consejo Nacional para el Cambio Climático y Mecanismo de Desarollo Limpio to finalize a roadmap for ETS implementation in the Dominican Republic.

Credit: UN Climate Change

Building on this roadmap, RCC Caribbean and the Consejo Nacional conducted a hands-on ETS workshop in September 2023 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The workshop provided practical knowledge to 40 participants from relevant ministries and potentially regulated entities. The purpose of the exercise was to provide essential knowledge and hands-on practice for policy makers and other stakeholders to help them understand how carbon credits and allowances trading works, how they can effectively engage in ETS-related discussions regarding the principles of carbon portfolio management and mandatory and voluntary carbon markets.

 
These discussions and practical experience may increase the likelihood of a successful roll-out of an ETS as part of the Dominican Republic’s efforts to meet national NDC targets.
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

In 2023, RCC Caribbean and the NDC Partnership, in particular through the Thematic Call initiative, collaborated closely to strengthen support to countries for NDCs and LT-LEDS. This work opened an opportunity for both organizations to share perspectives on support in the region, optimize use of resources, and align and reinforce messaging to countries.

Credit: UN Climate Change

The organizations joined forces to deliver the Notification to Parties on NDCs and LT-LEDS Synthesis Reports. The Notification provided details on NDC and LT-LEDS Synthesis Reports for 2023 and invited countries to share perspectives. At the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week in Panama in October, RCC Caribbean, RCC Latin America and the NDCP teamed up to deliver a side event on The Ambition Cycle. The event built awareness on the cyclical process that starts with the creation of NDCs outlining a country’s climate goals. This partnership also worked with the Euroclima Programme at LACCW 2023 to co-organize the first-ever Partners Gathering on Enhancing Collaborative Climate Action in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 25 implementing agencies gathered to discuss partner coordination challenges and opportunities for more effective climate action in the region. 

Continued collaboration by RCC Caribbean and the NDC Partnership throughout 2023 strengthened the connection between the organizations. This will be key to enhance support for Caribbean countries in the upcoming NDC 3.0 submission cycle. 
 

RCC EAS Africa was established in 2013 by UN Climate Change and the East Africa Development Bank. The RCC provides hands-on support to governments, NGOs and the private sector in Eastern and Southern Africa to advance mitigation efforts through capacity building, direct technical assistance, and strategic networking – sourcing the know-how and resources to drive clean development.

RCC EAS Africa supports 19 countries in the region, including 11 LDCs and two SIDS.
 

Partners Joint Statement

The East African Development Bank and the UN Climate Change secretariat have collaborated on issues related to climate change since 2013 through RCC EAS Africa, the Regional Collaboration Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa. The Centre is hosted at the EADB office in Kampala alongside the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges the world faces today, requiring urgent action for effective adaptation and mitigation. Climate change threatens socio-economic growth and sustainable development in Eastern and Southern Africa regions. Unpredictable changes in weather patterns, floods, and droughts make it difficult for countries to plan. Most East African countries depend on climate-sensitive economic sectors, such as agriculture, for economic output and income generation. A just transition where climate objectives are achieved without depriving countries of the opportunity to grow and prosper requires capital and dedicated support. EADB is strategically placed to help by directing capital to markets with the greatest opportunity to adopt low-carbon technology.

In September 2023, EADB and UN Climate Change partnered on the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week 2023 in Nairobi. Earlier in the year, the bank also participated in the climate finance strategic workshop in Arusha organized by the East African Community.

There has been growing recognition of the importance of the RCC in the region since its inception in 2013, when most activities were centered around supporting CDM projects, to the entry into force of the Paris Agreement and now in the era of implementation. Support provided by the RCC EAS Africa expanded in partnership with other organizations. Together, we advanced capacity-building activities to ensure participation in Article 6, support for country carbon markets regulations and guidelines, and organization of CDM transition workshops. 

The RCC also partnered with institutions with tangible results to support further areas of work. We strengthened gender integration with funding from Africa Climate Change Fund. We mobilized climate finance via the UN Climate Change Needs-based Financing initiative. We addressed human mobility in collaboration with the IOM and with the government of Uganda’s support. These efforts culminated in the Kampala Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change signed by 34 Ministers at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in September 2023.

With the above few examples, it is evident that the role of the RCC has already expanded and is now more needed than ever, as countries are called upon to submit new NDCs by 2025, ramping up their ambition in implementing action to stay on course to 1.5oC degrees.  This calls for a strengthening of the collaboration to meet the high demand of Parties and non-Party stakeholders in the region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

Main Achievements in 2023

Eastern and Southern Africa grapple with escalating climate change impacts, including extreme weather events, droughts, and floods. These effects imperil agriculture, water resources, and food security. Limited access to technology, often inadequate infrastructure and lack of financial means compound vulnerabilities. Urgent action is imperative to bolster resilience, enhance adaptive capacities, and foster sustainable development to safeguard communities and ecosystems in the region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

It is in this general context that RCC EAS Africa worked in 2023. The Centre strived to engage key actors in the region, including women and youth, to advance the international climate change agenda and implement the Paris Agreement. Activities focused on raising ambition for the new round of NDCs in 2025, working to raise much needed climate finance, and enabling countries to participate in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 
 

Engagement of Women and Youth

RCC EAS Africa supported strengthening capacity of women and gender negotiators through the Capacity building for women climate change negotiators in Eastern and Southern Africa project, funded by the Africa Climate Change Fund and based on partner visions articulated in the secretariat Gender Action Plan and EADB gender policy. Activities focused on enhancing the capacity of women and gender negotiators to address gender disparities in the UN Climate Change process. The RCC convened two regional workshops to strengthen gender integration and transformative action, identifying needs such as national gender and climate change action plans, gender-responsive budgeting, and capacity-building for indigenous peoples and women in local communities. 

In line with objectives of the ACCF funded Capacity building for women climate change negotiators project, RCC EAS Africa funded 4 National Gender Focal Points from the region to participate in UN Climate Change sessions in Bonn in June 2023 and 10 to attend COP 28. Detailed reports from these delegates will inform workshops and final reporting on the project in 2024. The initiative, funded by the African Development Bank through the ACCF, aims to combat under-representation of women, improve negotiation capacities, and address financial and other challenges reported by National Gender and Climate Change Focal Points.

Credit: UN Climate Change

In addition, RCC EAS Africa collaborates with UNU on Greenovations Africa, aiming to empower African youth and women in green innovation and entrepreneurship. Objectives include mapping stakeholders, building capacities, and establishing a Pan African Green Entrepreneurship Incubator. In 2023, 777 applications were received, with 30 successful, six of which are in climate sectors spanning renewable energy, smart agriculture, waste management, climate action, and water management. Innovators hail from across Africa, with 60% female representation and emphasis on women in leadership roles. Selected participants receive tailored support to refine concepts and scale their businesses. The RCC organizes meetings and contributes to course content for green innovators focusing on climate change to align innovations with the Paris Agreement.

NDCs and LT-LEDS

RCC EAS Africa, in close collaboration with RCC WAC Africa and RCC MENA and SA, partnered with African Group of Negotiators Experts Support, or AGNES, to assess the state of LT-LEDS in Africa. The study aimed to identify challenges and opportunities for enhancing LT-LEDS, development across the continent, and best practices for countries. Commissioned by the RCCs and AGNES, Climate Analytics conducted an Africa-wide study through desk reviews, online surveys, and interviews with key stakeholders.

Initial results were shared at events during Africa Climate Week 2023 and COP 28. The draft study report and guidance are in the validation stage and expected to conclude in 2024. Next steps involve developing a strategy to ensure African countries develop and communicate their LT-LEDS, while aligning second-generation NDCs with these strategies and working on the third generation NDCs to submit in 2025.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

To bolster understanding and readiness for Article 6 implementation, various capacity-building initiatives were undertaken. These included an online training course jointly crafted by UN Climate Change and UNDP that provided a detailed overview of Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and convened over 4,600 participants.

Credit: UN Climate Change

In September, a Regional Dialogue on Carbon Pricing, together with an Article 6 Training and a DNA Forum took place in Nairobi focused on Article 6. The REDICAP involved key actors such as regional DNAs, National Focal Points, members of the CDM Executive Board and Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, and more. The meeting allowed participants to share insights on carbon pricing, forge cooperative approaches, and discuss the CDM transition. Additional workshops and webinars were held to inform project developers about transitioning from CDM to the Article 6.4 Mechanism, including one held in partnership with the Ugandan Climate Change Department and another with the GIZ Global Carbon Markets Programme, Eastern Africa Alliance and Climate Finance Innovators. 

RCC EAS Africa will continue supporting the Article 6 capacity-building programme in 2024, along with continued support to policymakers for price-based instruments through the CiACA project.
 

Climate Finance 

Through the Needs-based Finance project, RCC EAS Africa organized a training workshop with the East African Community secretariat to equip 21 ministry officials in East Africa with knowledge and skills to mobilize climate finance. Participants learned about funding windows, access modalities, priorities, and project cycles and trained on presenting solid concept notes to funding institutions. The workshop was delivered in collaboration with the Adaptation Fund, AfDB, GCF, GEF, IFAD, and UNDP.

Moving forward, the RCC support will continue to enable funding submissions for identified projects and a climate investor forum is planned. 
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCC EAS Africa collaborated with the IOM with support by the Government of Uganda to convene a ministerial meeting on the human mobility and climate change nexus. Input and guidance were provided by UN Climate Change secretariat substantive divisions. This led to the signing of the Kampala Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change presided over by the Presidents of the Republic of Uganda and South Sudan. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Governments of Uganda and Kenya further requested support to organize a Technical Conference for the Continental Expansion of the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change.  The conference for the KDMECC took place alongside the Africa Climate Summit in September 2023 and was attended by high-level representatives from Ministries of Environment, Foreign Affairs, and Interior from all 54 African Member States. High-level representatives also joined from the African Union, Youth Advocates from the African Continent, and regional economic communities and IGOs.  The conference expanded KDMECC and was immediately signed by 35 Ministers present.

The partnership of RCC EAS Africa and IOM led to significant progress in 2023. Relevant structures were set up to promote and support the KDMECC. A technical Expert Working Group is chaired by the Government of Uganda and co-chaired by one of the signatory states on a rotational basis, with IOM acting as the secretariat. Three meetings took place during the year to support baseline study on the declaration commitments and requirements, and to agree an action plan for the KDMECC. 

Moving forward, the Group is expected to advance implementation of the Kampala Declaration and commitments for its implementation. Anticipated regional activities include: 

• Enhancing dialogues and sharing experiences, lessons learned and good practices to implement different thematic areas
• Providing capacity enhancement and mentoring opportunities
• Reviewing and monitoring implementation of the KDMECC Plan of Action

In 2024, IOM and RCC East and Southern Africa will support the fourth KDMECC Expert Working Group meeting focused on validating the regional Plan of Action and achieving the 12 commitments and five requests in the KDMECC. It will also present a youth-led Plan of Action for the KDMECC.
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

The German Agency for International Cooperation and RCC EAS Africa have worked closely together on carbon market capacity building activities in Eastern Africa since 2014. This partnership was further reinforced through a 2017 MoU between the UN Climate Change secretariat and GIZ.

In 2019, the GIZ’s Global Carbon Markets Programme, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and RCC EAS Africa supported establishment of the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance. The Alliance is a country-driven coalition of seven member countries: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan. The Alliance structure has proven responsive to country needs and can enhance regional cooperation.

Credit: UN Climate Change

The Alliance has undertaken a wide range of capacity building activities in recent years, often focused on topics related to Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement, CDM transition, and voluntary carbon markets. The Alliance works to ensure negotiators from countries in Eastern Africa are well prepared on technical carbon market topics and can effectively participate in international climate change negotiations. The Alliance also encourages private sector participation in carbon markets by educating on complex topics and fostering public-private sector dialogues. Knowledge products recently developed by the Alliance include carbon market country profiles for each member state and a study evaluating carbon market technologies and opportunities. 

The GIZ Global Carbon Markets Programme has greatly benefitted from the RCC expertise and readiness to cooperate and both parties look forward to continued collaboration.

RCC Latin America was established in 2013 and now works towards full implementation of the Paris Agreement in the region. The RCC is hosted by UN Environment in Panama City, Panama.

RCC LatAm supports 17 countries, nearly all of which are Spanish-speaking with the exception of Brazil. For this reason, RCC LatAm strives to provide information and training in Spanish and benefits from a Brazilian Regional Lead. 
 

UN Climate Change Statement

In 2023, the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and UN Climate Change partnership, RCC Latin America, celebrated several significant achievements, marking a successful year of collaboration and coordinated efforts. Delivery of the Road to COP28 capacity building series provided essential stakeholder training and support in preparation for the COP28 conference which took place in December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Furthermore, the organization of joint workshops and in-person meetings with Parties and Non-Party Stakeholders allowed for fruitful exchange of knowledge and expertise, fostering a deeper understanding of key climate issues and paving the way for enhanced collaboration.

The strategic planning of two of the region's most important events, the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2023 and the XXIII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean, showcased the effective coordination and synergy between our organizations. This careful planning ensured that these back-to-back events were executed seamlessly and achieved their respective objectives, maximizing the impact of both gatherings.

Coordination of efforts between UNEP-LAC Office and the UNFCCC Regional Centre was essential to streamline activities and deliver effective outcomes aligned with both organizations' objectives. In particular, the technical joint work was fruitful in the areas of NDC implementation as well as in facilitating the enabling conditions for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This collaboration not only resulted in expanded outreach but also facilitated the alignment of agendas, optimizing the use of resources and amplifying the overall impact of our joint initiatives. 

In 2024, the UNEP-LAC Office and UN Climate Change RCC Latin America has robust plans to assist countries in enhancing ambition for the upcoming round of NDCs 3.0 slated for submission in 2025. Additionally, there is focus on fostering regional collaboration to share best practices and lessons learned regarding implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in the region. Ongoing collaboration will persist in critical areas such as adaptation, finance, and transparency, tailored to meet the specific needs of the region.

Looking ahead, we are committed to building on these achievements and further strengthening our regional network to address the pressing challenges of climate change in the region and beyond.

Credit: UN Climate Change

Main Achievements in 2023

The Latin American region is severely impacted by climate change, particularly in agricultural and forestry sectors. These are major sources of employment, income, and export revenue for many countries. These sectors produce commodities like coffee, soybeans, bananas, and more. Increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns threaten crop yields and livestock health, while droughts and water scarcity affect irrigation systems and often lead to reduced agricultural productivity. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Smallholder farmers, lacking resources and technology, are particularly vulnerable. Adaptation strategies, such as crop diversification and resilient infrastructure, are crucial. Yet implementation barriers persist, such as a limited access to financing or the lack of adequate policies. Addressing these challenges is imperative to safeguard Latin America's food security and rural livelihoods.

RCC LatAm work in the region to address these issues spans the organization of and participation in close to 60 capacity-building events in addition to co-organizing LACCW 2023 with partners and RCC Caribbean. The RCC also provided technical assistance by supporting countries and projects with CDM and PoA activities or standardized baselines. Throughout the year, the RCC focused on three work areas: carbon pricing and markets, NDCs and LT-LEDS, and a sectoral approach to agriculture. 
 

Carbon Pricing and Carbon Markets (Article 6)

RCC LatAm compiled a comprehensive database and gathered valuable intelligence from Parties on the progress and priorities for carbon pricing and carbon markets, with a specific focus on Article 6 in the region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

This exercise allowed for development of tailored capacity building programmes and in-country training sessions. Designed by RCC LatAm to enable participation in both Article 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, sessions were delivered in Spanish to ensure access to information. Training explored establishment of institutional arrangements and provided guidance to Parties and CDM project developers to transition CDM activities to the Article 6.4 mechanism. In total: 

• 11 countries received direct support for Article 6.2, Article 6.4, and CDM transition
• 10 countries nominated an Article 6.4 Designated National Authority 
• 33 capacity building sessions were delivered
• 7 of 17 countries initiated Article 6.2 Bilateral Agreements as host with buyer countries
• 201 CDM activities advanced in the transition process from the CDM to the Article 6.4 Mechanism representing 42,188.54 KtCO2 eq emissions reductions/per year – Brazil 42%, Chile 21%, Colombia 7%, Mexico 4%, and Guatemala 3%
  
   

NDCs and LT-LEDS

RCC LatAm gathered information and data from countries on the development and implementation status of NDCs and LT-LEDS and compiled the data in a database. This data facilitated collaboration among implementing agencies and allowed local organizations to form alliances and develop joint initiatives. This context informed RCC LatAm tailor-made capacity building programmes and in-country support training sessions to support the submission of the next round of NDCs.

Throughout the year, in total:

• 21 capacity-building events were delivered
• 17 country profiles were created and are regularly updated
• 7 strategic partnerships and collaborations were established
• 6 countries received direct support on NDC and LTLEDS submissions and updates
• 1 toolkit and knowledge support material were prepared in Spanish
• 1 survey was conducted on gaps and needs of current NDC implementation

Sectoral Approach Agriculture

Enhancing climate action in the agriculture sector is crucial for the region and requires financial flows. Through regional collaboration with organizations and local governments, RCC LatAm highlighted how agrifood systems are fundamental to climate change solution and engaged actors to facilitate collaboration in the sector. RCC LatAm aims to increase financial support for the agriculture sector in Latin America by leveraging available instruments and disseminating case-studies that can be replicated at scale. 

In 2023, the RCC organized capacity-building events to enhance the agriculture sector's access to climate financing options, including private financing, as well as options offered by carbon markets.

Total engagements included: 

• 7 capacity building workshops delivered to targeted stakeholders in the sector
• 3 strategic partnerships and collaboration established – Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Brazil Aquaculture Association, UNALA Sugar Cane Producers Association
• 2 side events were organized at COP28 with participation by public and private sectors, subnational governments, and finance institutions

Credit: UN Climate Change

Recognizing the crucial role of agrifood systems in addressing climate change and through a collaborative effort with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, RCC Latin America prioritizes climate action in agriculture.

Credit: UN Climate Change

The strategic alliance and collaborative capacity-building events with IICA improved the agricultural sector’s access to climate finance, including private finance and opportunities in carbon markets. RCC LatAm’s role is to enhance climate resilience and sustainability in the region’s agricultural sector by showcasing projects that benefit from climate financing and promote scalable best practices.

The collaboration’s accomplishments in 2023 include three capacity-building events. Dedicated events were held at LACCW 2023 and COP 28, focusing on NDC improvement with active participation of the private sector and exploring participation in carbon markets and Article 6.

RCC LatAm is collaborating with key stakeholders in agribusiness throughout Latin America. An in-country mission was conducted in Guatemala with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

The next step will develop a support package to enhance capacity of government bodies and sectoral stakeholders, including agribusiness, to understand Article 6 and carbon pricing instruments by partnering with the Sugar Cane Producers Association of Guatemala.

Through this initiative, RCC LatAm seeks to support the government efforts to facilitate the implementation of Article 6 with strong engagement by the private sector.
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

The importance of fiscal policy and public finance in combating climate change is undeniable. In this regard, the Regional Climate Change Platform of the Ministries of Finance, Economy, and Public Finances is a crucial space for exchange that strengthens the climate agenda in member nations.

In a collaborative endeavor with the IADB and RCC Caribbean, RCC Latin America has undertaken a series of capacity-building activities aimed at Platform members. These initiatives will equip government officials with the tools and knowledge to effectively integrate climate considerations into fiscal and financial planning.

Additionally, spaces for dialogue and collaboration have been established among member countries and technical experts from different multilateral organizations to exchange experiences and best practices in climate change management from a fiscal perspective. These activities reinforce the region's commitment to addressing climate change comprehensively and sustainably, while highlighting the crucial role of fiscal policy and public finances in this global challenge.

Together with IADB and RCC Caribbean, RCC Latin America has initiated a workplan for 2024 aimed at advancing capacity building of Platform member state ministries to create climate-responsive policymaking that focuses on minimizing economic, social, and environmental risks in the region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCC MENA and South Asia was established in February 2019 with the signing of an MoU between UN Climate Change and the World Green Economy Organization, with the support of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

The Centre helps channel local, regional, and global resources into climate action in 30 countries. The RCC facilitates implementation of NDCs, NAPs, roadmaps for implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other relevant policies and strategies of countries in the MENA and South Asia region.
 

Partners Joint Statement

At the heart of a rapidly evolving global climate landscape, RCC MENA and South Asia demonstrates the success of collaboration since its establishment on February 13, 2019. The Regional Collaboration Centre for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia launched as a partnership between the WGEO and UN Climate Change. Since then, RCC MENA and SA has catalyzed transformative climate action across the region. The power of collaboration between UNFCCC and WGEO cannot be overstated, recognizing that the impact on the region is significantly amplified when we work together, rather than in isolation. 

By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, the RCC MENA and SA can leverage a diverse range of perspectives, expertise and resources. Our concerted efforts on capacity-building activities on the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement have significantly raised stakeholder awareness and engagement, underpinning the critical role of carbon market mechanisms in achieving global climate goals.
Through a comprehensive series of webinars and workshops, we have strengthened the capacities of Parties and non-Party stakeholders across the MENA and SA countries, fostering a deeper understanding and readiness to implement effective carbon pricing strategies.

RCC MENA and SA has been dedicated to supporting NDCs, LT-LEDS, and energy transition initiatives. By facilitating high-level dialogues, and enhancing partnerships, RCC MENA and SA has elevated the climate ambition and action framework within the regions and beyond, bringing us closer to reaching the Paris Agreement goals.

MENA Climate Week 2023 stands as a testament to the role of RCC MENA and SA in amplifying climate ambition and fostering climate action across the region. RCC MENA and SA effectively convened Parties and non-Party stakeholders to highlight the regions' efforts. The success of MENACW 2023 showcased the outcomes of regional collaboration and served as a dynamic platform for exchanging innovative ideas, best practices, and strategies to accelerate the energy and just transition.

Adaptation and innovation have been at the forefront of our agenda, with RCC MENA and SA supporting pivotal events and workshops that drive systemic change and resilience-building across communities. To enhance engagement from the private sector in climate action, RCC MENA and SA have worked together on the Mapping Study of the Capacity-Building Needs and Gaps of SMEs to engage in Climate Action in the MENA Region. 

The RCC's involvement in Regional Needs-Based Finance (NBF) Projects has marked a significant advancement in mobilizing resources for climate action. Our engagement with a wide array of stakeholders and financial entities has laid the groundwork for impactful projects aimed at addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the Arab States, Island States in the Indian Ocean, and South – Southwest Asia.

With the needed increase in climate ambition and implementation rate, RCC MENA and SA is committed to deepening its impact even further. The RCC remains dedicated to advancing work on NDCs, LT-LEDS, Article 6, and adaptation, with a renewed focus on innovative financing and technology solutions. 

With support by global and regional partners, we will continue to shape a low-emission, sustainable, resilient, green and prosperous economy, for MENA and South Asia.

Credit: UN Climate Change

Main Achievements in 2023

Climate change impacts in the MENA and SA region worsen existing vulnerabilities, including food insecurity, poverty, and displacement, while amplifying social tensions over resources. Coastal areas in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and elsewhere are at risk from sea-level rise, threatening the ports and tourist infrastructure at the core of their economies. Sudan struggles with desertification that threatens agricultural productivity and exacerbates food insecurity, countries like Iraq, Yemen and more are hit by extreme heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 50°C.

Credit: UN Climate Change

The South Asian monsoon is also affected, giving way to erratic rainfall patterns. The 2019 monsoon floods in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan displaced millions of people and devastated crops, homes, and infrastructure. Cooperation, innovation, and robust policies are crucial to mitigate impacts, build resilience in the region, and safeguard economies and ecosystems for future generations. 

To advance cooperation, RCC MENA and SA collaborates with many regional actors and other RCCs. For example, the RCC worked jointly with RCC WAC Africa. RCC EAS Africa, and AGNES to assess the state of LT-LEDS in Africa. The study aimed to identify challenges and opportunities for enhancing LT-LEDS, development across the continent, and best practices for countries to leverage. Initial results were shared at Africa Climate Week 2023 and COP 28. The draft study report and guidance are in the validation stage, to be published in the first half of 2024. Next steps involve developing a strategy to ensure African countries develop and communicate their LT-LEDS, while aligning second-generation NDCs with these strategies and working on third generation of NDCs to submit in 2025.

In addition, RCC MENA and SA focused on organizing, co-organizing, or participating in more than 50 events and co-organizing MENA Climate Week 2023.

Carbon Pricing and Carbon Markets (Article 6)

RCC MENA and South Asia maintains a three-tiered approach to work on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and carbon pricing. This approach includes analyzing the readiness of countries, building capacities at the regional level, and identifying country priorities. RCC MENA and SA also provides customized in-country technical assistance, supporting countries that include Morocco, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Oman, and Iraq.

Credit: UN Climate Change

Capacity building for Article 6 focuses on engagement on city net-zero commitments and assessing the private sector’s readiness to participate. In-country capacity building workshops were held in Morocco and Bhutan to enhance Private Sector Readiness for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and explore institutional setups for Article 6 and domestic carbon trading policies.

Activities in Morocco included preparation of a blueprint for Article 6 participation and a study on streamlining Morocco’s Article 6 framework for international carbon market engagement delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy Transition and the GGGI. Activities in Bhutan included identifying eligible Article 6 project types and support for a domestic registry of policy development. RCC MENA and SA also supported Sri Lanka efforts to determine eligibility of projects for Article 6 participation and develop the Sri Lanka Carbon Trading Policy Framework and Guiding Principles.

In 2023, RCC MENA and SA regularly coordinated with countries, in particular regarding Article 6.4 DNA nominations. Several countries such as Tunisia, Maldives, and Iraq submitted nominations with RCC MENA and SA involvement. Related to private sector guidance, the RCC addressed queries from over 40 CDM project owners regarding the transition to Article 6.4.
 

Climate Finance

RCC MENA and SA supported Needs-Based Finance regional projects for Arab States and the Island States in the Indian Ocean. UNESCWA and the League of Arab States are partnering with RCC MENA and SA to deliver the NBF project for Arab States.

Credit: UN Climate Change

In 2023, the two first phases of the NBF initiative were successfully completed. The first assessed regional climate finance needs and flows, and the second advanced regional climate finance access and mobilization strategies. 

Following workshops and country consultations, the third phase of the NBF initiative focused on mobilization of finance launched in 2023. Throughout the year, RCC MENA and SA worked on project concepts for Arab States and Indian Ocean countries, building on identified regional priorities. The RCC also started to identify potential investors and sponsors to support the regional priorities. RCC MENA and SA and partners led consultations with regional and global organizations at MENA Climate Week 2023 and other venues. Work on the concept notes and matchmaking with partners will culminate at investment forums in 2024 that aim to enhance climate finance in the regions. 
 

Innovation

The MENA and South Asia region sees innovation as a crucial driver for economic growth, diversification, global competitiveness, and addressing societal challenges. Governments increasingly invest in an ecosystem that fosters innovation to unlock the region's potential. In addition, high youth population and increasing number of startups encourage transformation through innovation in the MENA and SA region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

The UN Global Innovation Hub aims to accelerate climate action through transformative innovation. The Hub provides infrastructure for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnerships to foster innovative solutions to address climate change challenges in the region. RCC MENA and SA supports the Hub, which is advancing in three phases: 

• Launch a call to identify the core needs of urban areas
• Identify potential solutions to address those needs 
• Create a space where climate solution demand, technology, financing, and supply converge 

Hub support activities included three side events during the SB 58 Bonn Climate Conference in June 2023. These events provided insights on leveraging technologies, green hydrogen, and transformative innovation to take action on climate change and drive sustainable development. Other highlights include organizing four systemic innovation workshops, including two in the MENA region, and co-organizing a webinar on transformative innovations for the MENA region.
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Collaboration between RCC MENA and South Asia and the League of Arab States serves as a catalyst for advancing regional Arab cooperation on climate action. The partnership works together on the NBF project and MENA Climate Week, a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers and opportunities in the region.

With the help of the LAS, RCC MENA and SA was able to engage party stakeholders in the League’s member states. Three in-person NBF project workshops have been held since launch of the project in 2020. The LAS has been keen to include the NBF project progress and achievements as an agenda item in key regional meetings such as the UN-LAS Sectoral Meeting on Cooperation on Climate Change in Cairo in 2023 or side events hosted by the League during COPs.

RCC MENA and SA also relies on the LAS as a vehicle to disseminate NBF project outputs at the highest political level. The partnership was instrumental in seeking endorsement from bodies like the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment and drafting the Regional Climate Finance Access and Mobilization Strategy for Arab States.

Moving forward, the LAS and RCC MENA and SA will continue to collaborate on a regional project pipeline under the leadership of member states participating in the NBF project. Countries identified three themes to address in regional project concepts, and RCC MENA and SA will leverage its convening power to connect these concepts with sponsors and investors. The League will streamline efforts and enhance coordination at the regional level. This collaboration is poised to unlock enhanced climate financing opportunities in the Arab region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

Collaboration between RCC MENA and South Asia and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia underscores a shared commitment to strengthen the capacity of MENA countries to advance climate action. 

One key area of collaboration between the RCC MENA and SA and UN ESCWA is knowledge production. ESCWA’s experience in the Arab region has been instrumental in compiling data and drafting the Technical Assessment of Climate Finance Needs and Flows in the Arab Region report produced under the NBF project. ESCWA also contributed to translation, editing and design efforts to fast track the finalization of the report and related products. As a main partner in the NBF project, ESCWA has helped disseminate main messages and advocate for recommendations formulated in the technical assessment, namely how finance needs in the region are underserved and how finance instruments can address the deficit.

Collaboration with the ESCWA Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies has also enhanced RCC MENA and SA’s ability to draw linkages across regional climate change initiatives in water, agriculture and energy sectors and collaborative capacity development for climate change assessment. ESCWA’s multisectoral mandate makes it one of the key repositories of information and data in the region. The RCC MENA and South Asia leverages this knowledge to foster a targeted and comprehensive regional approach to climate action, building on what has been collectively achieved and planning for further progress. Ultimately, this collaboration solidifies the network of climate actors in MENA countries and unlocks potential for more climate action in the region.
 

RCC West and Central Africa was established in 2013 by UN Climate Change and the Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement to drive national climate action through capacity-building, technical assistance, and strategic networking.

RCC WAC Africa supports 26 countries in the region with efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and engages non-State actors across Africa and beyond. 
 

Partners Joint Statement

In 2023, UN Climate Change and the West African Development Bank marked the 10th anniversary of partnership on RCC WAC Africa, the Regional Collaboration Centre for West and Central Africa. 

RCC WAC Africa was the first RCC established globally, and both partners continue to see it as a model and pacesetter for effective regional work. The RCC has emerged as a convening force in West and Central Africa for climate action. The Centre has kept track of the evolving needs and priorities of countries in the region. It has facilitated the design and delivery of a support package that responds to these needs and the access to support provided by other actors. And it serves as a channel to connect the climate change process to West and Central Africa.

UN Climate Change values this partnership as a steady, authoritative and dependable point of entry into west and central Africa. This enables the secretariat to better understand the needs and priorities of countries and non-state actors in the region. BOAD entrusted the secretariat, via RCC WAC Africa, with the provision of support to four main priorities of the Bank: 

1. Facilitating support to countries in the region, including translating NAPs and NDCs into fundable and implementable projects
2. Developing the expertise of the Bank on climate action
3. Supporting BOAD to affirm leadership on climate action by member States
4. Supporting the bank as a key player in the global climate diplomacy space

In 2023, RCC WAC Africa assembled a team under new leadership and kicked-off activities by gathering intelligence to map the actors, Parties and non-State actors alike, and understand the needs and priorities of the region. This formed the basis of the support package designed and delivered throughout the year. 

The RCC organized and co-organized virtual and in-person events to build and enhance countries’ capacities on topics such as NDCs, LT-LEDS, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the Enhanced Transparency Framework, adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change and climate finance. 

Furthermore, the RCC was instrumental in the organization of the first Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week 2023. It leveraged high-level and technical events organized in the region to provide insights, messaging, and knowledge. This offered opportunities to train countries and non-State actors on topics central to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Responding to the needs and priorities of countries in Central Africa, RCC WAC Africa convened key partners in the region. The undertaking was so successful that it culminated with the signing of a MoU between the UN Climate Change secretariat and the Development Bank of Central African States at COP 28.  This collaboration now seeks to enhance climate action in central Africa, in particular via establishment of a Central African Alliance on Carbon Market and Climate Finance. 

RCC WAC Africa support and capacity-building activities will develop further and accelerate in 2024, as the world is gearing up towards the submission of a new round of NDCs in 2025. The RCC will support operationalization of the new Loss and Damage Fund and Article 6, as well as unlocking climate finance to transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future. 
      

Credit: UN Climate Change

Main Achievements in 2023

West and Central Africa is challenged by increased frequency of climate impacts – loss of biodiversity, droughts, heatwaves and floods that cause a decline agricultural productivity, and a heightened risk of diseases such as malaria and waterborne diseases. Vulnerable populations face disproportionate impacts, particularly those that rely on rain-fed agriculture and lack access to resources. Land degradation and water scarcity can even lead to displacement of local populations and conflict over natural resources. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

In this region, solution need to address SDG #13 on climate action along with SDG #1 on poverty reduction and SDG #2 on hunger eradication. Answers can encompass robust adaptation measures and enhancing resilience through sustainable land management. Strengthening healthcare systems to address climate-related health risks is also vital. Promoting renewable energy mitigates emissions and supports clean, sustainable development. Fostering regional cooperation and capacity-building can enhance resilience and facilitate knowledge sharing among countries, empowering communities to better cope with the challenges of climate change. RCC WAC Africa has a key role to play.

This year, RCC WAC Africa supported organization of ACW 2023 and the Africa Climate Summit, COP 28 participation and a host of other events. The RCC also led capacity building activities and provided technical assistance on mitigation (NDCs, LT-LEDS and Article 6), adaptation, loss damage, climate finance and the Enhanced Transparency Framework. RCC WAC Africa focused on three main areas: finance, mitigation and adaptation. 

Climate Finance

West and Central African countries continue to underscore the importance of making international climate finance more fit for purpose. The current landscape is perceived as limiting access to much-needed finance required for climate action to meet NDC targets and Paris Agreement goals. Countries and other actors in the region have called for the RCC to play a lead role in building capacity to overcome barriers to climate finance access and enable more ambitious climate action.

In 2023 the RCC engaged in capacity-building activities to enable stakeholders of the region to access and mobilize climate finance through the NBF initiative. The RCC supported the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance to design a training workshop for the ECOWAS Member States. The training was led by operating entities of the Financial Mechanism including the GEF, GCF, and Adaptation Fund. 

Involving these entities provides a deeper understanding of the documentation and application process and stages – project development, structuring, and submission – as required by each fund or institution. This knowledge is key for countries to build a pipeline of project concepts. Skills learned in the training enable participants to access finance for priority projects in the region and develop project proposals to mobilize finance from both public and private sources at all levels.

Other similar events were held in the region, including a workshop to increase to climate finance access for countries in the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Unlocking this climate finance is key to implementation of the Paris Agreement and reaching national and global goals.
 

Mitigation and Sustainable Development 

Most countries in West and Central Africa consider their emissions inconsequential and therefore tie emissions mitigation measures, including participation in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, to sustainable development and poverty eradication. However, projected emissions are expected to be on the rise with planned economic activities and need to be accompanied by efforts to prevent future emissions growth while enabling sustainable economic growth. 

Credit: UN Climate Change

Work by RCC WAC Africa this year consisted of research to map and assess regional context and needs, with a view to using this understanding to develop a workplan that responds to technical and capacity-building needs for effective mitigation action. The RCC, as the UN Climate Change regional arm in the region, brought this knowledge to the secretariat to inform the work of substantive divisions and ensure the needs and voices of the region are taken into account in mandated work and the process moving forward. 

RCC WAC Africa focused on support and capacity building activities, including through the CiACA initiative, to ensure careful consideration of carbon pricing instruments by countries. The RCC advanced readiness to participate in Article 6 by ensuring support to implement institutional arrangements, providing training, and answering queries on the CDM transition process to the Article 6.4 mechanism. This included a regional dialogue and dedicated training held at Africa Climate Week 2023. 

The RCC also provided information and published research results as knowledge products. A report on the Assessment of Carbon Pricing Initiatives in Nigeria supported consideration of different carbon pricing approaches that can help achieve the goals set in the country’s NDC. The report outlines Nigeria’s current and future circumstances and priorities such as socio-economic development to enable an informed decision by the government. This report can be considered direct country support but it is also a case study to inform others considering carbon pricing options.
 

NDCs and LT-LEDS

RCC WAC Africa also advanced knowledge sharing and capacity building on development of NDCs in light of upcoming submissions in 2025. The RCC integrated a long-term vision into this work to connect LT-LEDS to NDCs as the sum total of the achievements of all preceding NDC achievements. This work, materialized as additional LT-LEDS training at Africa Climate Week 2023 and addressed a considerable gap. As of July 2023, only eight African nations had submitted an LT-LEDS, with only one from the WAC Africa region.

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCC WAC Africa, RCC EAS Africa and RCC MENA and SA partnered with AGNES to assess LT-LEDS in Africa. The study identified challenges and opportunities to enhance LT-LEDS, development across the continent, and best practices. Initial results were shared at Africa Climate Week 2023 and COP 28. The draft study report and guidance are in validation and expected to be published in 2024. Next steps involve developing a strategy to ensure African LT-LEDS mature, while aligning second-generation NDCs with these strategies and advancing NDCs 3.0 to submit in 2025.

Adaptation

Adaptation is a priority in West and Central Africa because of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, reliance on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, and high dependence on natural resources. Through interaction and needs assessment, RCC WAC Africa sees that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is perceived as a tool with potential to unlock supplementary finance, advance the national development agenda, and support adaptation costs.

RCC WAC Africa engaged in key collaborations and adaptation training to address needs identified by countries. For example, the NAP writing workshop for LDCs in Africa conducted with the LDC Expert Group and the NAP Technical Working Group was designed to finalize NAPs and facilitate implementation. The RCC also supported the second session of the Fourth Africa Climate Talks, co-hosted with the UN Economic Commission for Africa and other partners. The meeting sought to help countries interpret the scientific content of IPCC reports and implications for climate action, energy transition, human insecurity, food security, and ESG in Africa.

As the regional arm of the UN Climate Change secretariat in West and Central Africa, the RCC also participated in meetings to share knowledge on the climate change process. The ninth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development looked to accelerate full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the RCC presented relevant COP 27 outcomes. Such interventions ensure common understanding of the international community’s work, and ensures a steady foundation to plan the work of the year ahead for all participants. At the UNU 2023 Climate Academy, where the main topic related to human displacements and relocations, RCC WAC Africa explained UN Climate Change processes, with focus on the Task Force on Displacement under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

In 2023, in anticipation of 2024 commitments under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework, RCC WAC Africa worked closely with the African Development Bank to understand the needs of African countries related to these commitments and start addressing them.

The UN Climate Change secretariat, through RCC WAC Africa, provided technical support and collaborated with AfDB to convene key partners in the region. This advanced training on preparation of the Biennial Transparency Reports at a seminar held in Nairobi, Kenya, on the margins of Africa Climate Week 2023. The seminar also helped identify the state of readiness of countries to fulfill ETF commitments. This assessment informed a capacity building workplan for 2024 to enhance technical capacities of countries across Africa to deliver the first Biennial Transparency Reports under the Paris Agreement.

Partners of the NDC Hub hosted by AfDB made important contributions to design and delivery of the seminar and engagement on development of the capacity building workplan for 2024. 
The AfDB appreciates the technical expertise provided by UN Climate Change and RCC WAC Africa. The bank stands ready to build on the experiences and move countries along.
 

Credit: UN Climate Change

RCC WAC Africa continues to lead implementation of the CiACA initiative in West and Central Africa. This initiative is supported by voluntary contributions from national governments, including the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. CiACA assists countries in development of domestic climate policy instruments such as carbon taxes and other emission reduction instruments with strong monitoring, reporting, and verification components. 

Under the CiACA initiative, RCC WAC Africa worked closely with Nigeria on a study to consider carbon pricing initiatives and make recommendations for government action. When the study concluded in 2023, RCC WAC Africa and the National Council on Climate Change of Nigeria co-organized a workshop with national experts to validate findings and recommendations.

Credit: UN Climate Change

The National Council on Climate Change of Nigeria recognized RCC WAC Africa expertise and collaboration and looks forward to building on this collaboration, including to deliver in other areas under the Paris Agreement.

In January 2024, UN Climate Change, through its RCC WAC Africa contributed to the stakeholder consultations towards the development of Nigeria’s Carbon Market Framework. At a dedicated event, the RCC exemplified its commitment to supporting Parties to achieve their GHG reduction targets using market-based mechanisms as outlined in the Rulebook of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The National Council deeply appreciates the support provided by the secretariat and its RCC WAC Africa and looks forward to building further on this collaboration effort. Such support is invaluable as Parties seek to increase their ambition in the next iteration of NDCs, while delivering opportunities for inclusive green growth in the transition to low-carbon economic development.

The UN Climate Change secretariat extends appreciation to all partners who collaborated with and contributed to the work of the Regional Collaboration Centres in 2023.
 
Through your active engagement and support, the RCCs are in a position to enhance preparedness and participation of stakeholders in implementing the Paris Agreement and building a resilient and sustainable future. 

This report was produced by the Regional Collaboration Centres Coordination Unit of the UN Climate Change in collaboration with all RCC staff and designed by Quo Global. 

Thank you to all host partners and collaborators on the ground who contributed to this report.

REFERENCES 

Reports 

• RCC 2022 Annual Report 
• RCC 2021 Annual Report
• RCC 2020 Annual Report
• NDC Synthesis Report 2023
• LT-LEDS Synthesis Report
• Annual Report of the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism to the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol 
   

Useful Webpages 

• RCC Global Homepage
• RCC Asia and the Pacific
• RCC Caribbean
• RCC East and Southern Africa
• RCC Latin America
• RCC MENA and South Asia
• RCC West and Central Africa
   

Other

• Capacity-building Work Programme for Implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement 
• Long-term Strategies Portal

ACE     Action for Climate Empowerment
ACW     2022 Africa Climate Week 2022
AGYLE     Academy for Global Youth Leadership Empowerment
ASEAN     Association of Southeast Asian Nations
AYICC     African Youth Initiative on Climate Change
BOAD     West African Development Bank
CAF     Development Bank of Latin America
CCMRVH     Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting, and Verification Hub
CDM     Clean Development Mechanism
CER     Certified Emission Reductions
CGE     Consultative Group of Experts
CiACA     Collaborative Instruments for Ambitious Climate Action
COP     Conference of the Parties
CTCN     Climate Technology Centre and Network
EAA     Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance
EAC     East African Community
EADB     East African Development Bank
FAO     Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GCC     Gulf Cooperation Council
GCF     Green Climate Fund
GEF     Global Environment Facility
GGGI     Global Green Growth Institute
GHG     Greenhouse gas
GIZ     German Agency for International Cooperation
GST     Global Stocktake
ICAO     International Civil Aviation Organization
IEA     International Energy Agency
IFAD     International Fund for Agricultural Development
IGAD     Intergovernmental Authority on Development in East Africa
IGES     Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
IGO     Intergovernmental organization
ILO     International Labour Organization
IMO     International Maritime Organization
IOM     International Organization for Migration
IPCC     Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
LAC     Latin America and the Caribbean
LACCW 2022     Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2022
LDC     Least Developed Country
LEG     Least Developed Countries Expert Group
LT-LEDS     Long-term Low Emissions Development Strategies
MENA     Middle East and North Africa
MENACW 2022     Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2022
MOU     Memorandum of Understanding
MRV     Measurement, reporting and verification
NAP     National Adaptation Plan
NBF     Needs-based Finance
NDC     Nationally Determined Contribution
NWP     Nairobi Work Programme
OECS     Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
PCCB     Paris Committee on Capacity-building
PoAs     CDM Programmes of Activities
RCC     Regional Collaboration Centre
RCO     Resident Coordinator Office
RCW 2022     Regional Climate Weeks 2022
SCF     Standing Committee on Finance
SDG     Sustainable Development Goal
SIDS     Small Island Developing States
SMEs     Small and mid-size enterprises
TEC     Technology Executive Committee
UN     United Nations
UNCCD     United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP     United Nations Development Programme
UNDRR     United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
UNEP     United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCWA     United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
UNHCR     Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNOWAS     United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel
UNIDO     United Nations Industrial Development Organization
UNSDCF     United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
WAA     West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance
WAEMU     West African Economic and Monetary Union
WGEO     World Green Economy Organization
WHO     World Health Organization
WINDREF     Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation
Y4C     Youth4Climate
YECAP     Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform

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