Transparency is a vital foundation for turning climate commitments into action. Strong data, accountability and peer learning can help countries to make informed decisions, strengthen climate policies, attract climate finance and advance sustainable development.
The successes of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) are clear. Around 140 Parties have submitted their first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), with many having undergone the technical expert review and facilitative multilateral consideration of progress processes.
In 2026, the ETF continues to go from strength to strength. Many countries are finalizing their first or second BTRs by 31 December, building on the lessons learned from initial BTR submissions. This includes Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), who may submit BTRs at their discretion.
In this BTR submission year, ministerial engagement can generate the political momentum needed to ensure that transparency drives tangible progress and lays a strong foundation for the Second Global Stocktake (GST2).
Under the leadership of the COP31 Presidency, this dialogue will bring together ministers and other high-level representatives of Parties, UN and other transparency partners to explore how the ETF can accelerate climate action and implementation, support NDC delivery, and build momentum toward GST2.
The COP31 Presidency will bring together Parties planning to submit BTRs in 2026 to celebrate the continued implementation of the ETF and to sign the BTR Declaration.
This event builds on events in Bonn at SB64 and Baku during Climate Week 4 to highlight transparency implementation and BTR submissions. In addition, technical workshops were hosted in Baku and Ballarat to provide targeted support for countries planning to submit BTRs in 2026.
Objectives
The dialogue aims to:
- Maintain political momentum for ETF implementation;
- Celebrate and recognize Parties committing to submit their BTRs by 31 December 2026;
- Commend the efforts of LDCs and SIDS to submit BTRs in 2026 and 2027;
- Highlight the ETF’s role in driving NDC implementation and informing GST2.
Agenda
| Time |
Topic |
Speaker |
| 13:00 – 13:05 |
Welcome |
Moderator: Pilita Clark, Associate Editor of the Financial Times |
| 13:05 – 13:15 |
Opening Remarks |
H. E. Min. Murat Kurum, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Türkiye
H.E. Min. Chris Bowen, COP 31 President of Negotiations and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Australia
Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, UNFCCC
|
| 13:15 – 13:30 |
Momentum for progress on implementation of the Paris Agreement in 2026 – BTR submissions:
Recognition of countries that have already submitted or plan to submit their BTRs by December 2026, including:
- Reading of the 2026 BTR Declaration and invitation for participants to join the declaration
|
COP 31 President, COP31 President of Negotiations, UNFCCC Executive Secretary |
| 13:30 – 14:25 |
Ministerial dialogue “From transparency to transformation”: sharing of experiences on ETF impact on climate action implementation |
Ministers and high-level national representatives from Parties will share their experiences (3 min allocated for each Party)
|
| 14:25 – 14:40 |
International collaboration – contribution of UN and other partners supporting the implementation of the ETF |
High-level representatives of UN and other international organizations will share their perspective on transparency and efforts to support developing countries to implement the ETF (2 min allocated for each organization)
|
| 14:40 – 14:45 |
Closing Remarks |
Moderator |
| 14:45 – 15:30 |
Reception |
All |
