Global climate experts have set a new strategic direction for transparency under the Paris Agreement, marking a significant shift in support for developing countries following key decisions adopted at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

At the centre of this transition is the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE), which convened its 8th Informal Forum and 14th meeting in Bonn, Germany, to chart the next phase of climate transparency implementation.

The meetings signal a move from policy design to full implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), a core pillar of the Paris Agreement that enables countries to track and report progress on their climate commitments.

A major outcome from Belém was the agreement by Parties to make the CGE a permanent body serving both the Convention and the Paris Agreement. This decision was accompanied by the adoption of revised terms of reference and an update of the group’s composition to reflect evolving global realities. The development underscores a growing consensus that transparency is essential for accountability, trust and effective global climate action.

The Bonn forum brought together 127 experts, including national transparency specialists and Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) reviewers from countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Panama and Kazakhstan, alongside partner organisations like the IPCC, UNDP and UNEP. The gathering provided a platform for participants to exchange practical experiences from the first cycle of ETF implementation.

Discussions centred on technical expert reviews of BTRs and the facilitative multilateral consideration of progress, with participants sharing real-world challenges ranging from capacity constraints and data limitations to institutional coordination issues. At the same time, the exchanges revealed emerging best practices and signs of gradual improvement in national transparency systems.

In her keynote remarks, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, emphasised that transparency lies at the heart of the Paris Agreement, noting that BTRs play a critical role in tracking progress and informing global processes such as the Global Stocktake.

Director of Transparency at UN Climate Change, Xuehong Wang, observed that developing countries are now entering full ETF implementation, moving beyond preparation into active participation in reporting and review processes. She reaffirmed the secretariat’s commitment to supporting the CGE and developing countries in strengthening their transparency systems.

At its 14th meeting, the CGE adopted a four-year work programme covering 2026 to 2029, alongside a detailed workplan for 2026. These frameworks set the strategic direction for sustained support to developing countries as they deepen implementation of the ETF.

The new programme reflects the evolving needs of developing countries and focuses on strengthening national transparency systems, delivering targeted technical assistance and expanding training initiatives through regional workshops and webinars. It also prioritises the development of practical guidance materials and continued collaboration with international partners. Central to the approach is an ongoing assessment of gaps, needs and lessons learned to ensure that support remains responsive and effective.

For developing countries, including Nigeria, the new direction offers an opportunity to enhance institutional capacity, improve compliance with international reporting obligations and strengthen systems for tracking emissions, climate finance and adaptation efforts. More broadly, improved transparency is expected to boost credibility and help countries attract greater climate finance while reinforcing trust in global climate processes.

With the CGE now established as a permanent body, its expanded mandate signals a long-term commitment to embedding transparency within global climate governance. As implementation of the Paris Agreement accelerates, the effectiveness of climate action will increasingly depend not only on the ambition of commitments but also on the clarity, consistency and credibility with which they are reported and assessed.