1.   Background

Pursuant to decision 18/CMA.1 on the modalities, procedures and guidelines for the transparency framework for action and support, the SBSTA is requested to develop, inter alia, common tabular formats for the electronic reporting of the information necessary to track progress made in implementing and achieving nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under Article 4 of the Paris Agreement.

To maximize progress of work on the this SBSTA agenda sub-item, and minimize disruption and delay stemming from the COVID-19 pandemics, the SBSTA chair requested the UNFCCC secretariat to organize an informal dialogue to initiate a technical discussion among Parties on possible approaches for designing common tabular format (CTF) for the structured summary that will be used to track progress in implementing and achieving NDCs.

2.   Objectives and description

This informal dialogue, which will be organized under the authority of the SBSTA Chair, has the following objectives:

•  Enhance understanding on the use of quantitative and qualitative indicators for tracking progress and possible implications on development of CTF for the structured summary;
• Discuss challenges and solutions in using structured summary for tracking progress made in implementing and achieving of NDCs with quantitative or qualitative targets;
• Exchange views and ideas on possible design of the CTF for the structured summary.

The informal dialogue will be opened by the SBSTA chair and will feature a short introductory presentation by the secretariat, followed by a Parties' presentations of ideas for CTF for the structured summary with a demonstration of how the CTF can be used to track progress, and panel discussion focusing on the better understanding of the key features of the structured summary.

3.   Proposed programme