Latin American and Caribbean experts strengthen climate transparency processes to address adaptation challenges

• CATIE brings together specialists from 28 countries in Guatemala for a regional meeting aimed at strengthening climate transparency and supporting countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change.

Specialists and representatives from 28 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean are participating in the 2026 Regional Hands-on Workshop of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala.

The initiative seeks to strengthen countries’ technical capacities to improve their reporting on climate change adaptation and advance the implementation of commitments undertaken under the Paris Agreement.

Over the course of three days, from 6 to 8 July, 53 experts will exchange experiences, best practices and lessons learned to strengthen the preparation and submission of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), with particular emphasis on the chapters related to adaptation, loss and damage, which are key components for assessing countries’ responses to the impacts of climate change.

The regional meeting is organized by CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) through the projects Strengthening the Transparency Framework through Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement in Guatemala (CBIT) and Development of the First Biennial Transparency Report, the Fourth National Communication and the Second Biennial Transparency Report as a Combined Report under the UNFCCC (1BTR and 4NC/2BTR). Both initiatives are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and implemented in coordination with Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).

The workshop takes place at a pivotal moment for the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement. As of May 2026, 131 Biennial Transparency Reports had been submitted worldwide, 90 of which were from developing countries. This reflects significant progress in climate accountability while also highlighting the need to continue strengthening countries’ technical and institutional capacities to meet growing international reporting requirements.

The workshop programme is designed to improve the quality and timeliness of national reports while promoting knowledge exchange among the technical teams responsible for climate transparency. Participants will address topics such as the application of the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines (MPGs), the use of flexibility provisions available to developing countries, the preparation of continuous improvement plans, participation in international technical expert review processes, and the strengthening of institutional arrangements that support report preparation.

The methodology combines specialized lectures, panel discussions, presentations of national experiences and practical exercises that foster peer-to-peer learning. This approach enables countries to share challenges, solutions and successful experiences to strengthen their national climate transparency systems.

In addition to supporting countries that are currently preparing their second Biennial Transparency Reports, the workshop provides technical assistance to those nations that are still preparing or finalizing their first report, helping to strengthen national capacities to meet the international reporting and monitoring commitments established under the Paris Agreement.

This regional meeting reaffirms the commitment of CATIE, MARN, UNDP, the UNFCCC and their strategic partners to strengthening regional cooperation and technical capacity development as key pillars for improving climate transparency, promoting evidence-based decision-making, and accelerating the implementation of adaptation and climate resilience actions across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The exchange of experiences among participating countries will contribute to building a region with stronger capacities to measure, report and communicate progress on climate change adaptation, while reinforcing international cooperation and supporting the achievement of the global objectives established under the Paris Agreement.