Kigali-Rwanda, is hosting the first-ever Centralized Group Review for African Least Developed Countries (LDCs) under the Paris Agreement, marking a significant step forward in strengthening climate transparency, reporting systems, and regional cooperation across the continent.
The Paris Agreement is a global climate accord adopted in 2015 that brings countries together to limit global warming. Its main goal is to keep the rise in global temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while encouraging efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It also requires countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate adaptation, and report their progress transparently.
The high-level workshop, taking place from 11 to 16 May 2026 at Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, brings together experts, technical review teams, and delegates from Burkina Faso, Malawi, Niger, and Rwanda, alongside international partners supporting the United Nations Climate Change process.
“A review is not just about producing a report, but about generating evidence to finance climate action. It helps us understand where we are, what gaps remain, and what we need to scale up and accelerate.”The Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Fatmata Lovetta Sesay.
This workshop, organized under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement, is focused on enhancing how countries track, report, and verify climate action, promoting greater accountability, consistency, and reliability in climate data.
The sessions are designed to strengthen the technical capacity of participating countries in preparing Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). Delegates are receiving hands-on training in greenhouse gas inventory development, climate action tracking, financial transparency, and the effective use of ETF reporting tools.
Officials highlight that the initiative plays a vital role in improving the quality of climate data, strengthening national planning systems, and supporting more informed, evidence-based climate decision-making across the region.
Speaking at the event, Juliet Kabera, Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, highlighted the importance of turning climate ambition into measurable and impactful action through effective tracking and implementation. She also praised regional cooperation as a strong foundation for enhancing transparency, knowledge-sharing, and collective progress among countries in advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The review also provides an important platform for African LDCs to share experiences and best practices while addressing common challenges in data collection, institutional coordination, and reporting systems. Participants underscore that strong transparency frameworks are key to unlocking climate finance and enhancing countries’ ability to deliver on their climate commitments.
By hosting this landmark gathering, Rwanda further reinforces Kigali’s growing reputation as a leading hub for climate diplomacy and international cooperation on sustainable development.
The workshop is expected to conclude on 16 May with practical recommendations aimed at strengthening future reporting cycles and further enhancing the readiness of African LDCs to implement the Paris Agreement effectively.
