A two-day inception workshop took place in San Salvador on 8-9 May 2024 as part of the work of the regional climate action transparency hub for Central America. National, regional and international climate change stakeholders exchanged on the future of the hub and the best ways to support Central American countries in their climate change efforts.

The hub was established by the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) and is hosted by the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD). It aims to empower the eight countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic – to build robust transparency frameworks for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

“Climate transparency is essential to ensure the success of the Paris Agreement. The [SICA] countries have achieved significant progress at the national level, which will be further enhanced by the Hub’s regional approach,” highlighted the Executive Secretary of the CCAD, Jair Urriola Quiroz, in his virtual address.

The workshop gathered national, regional and international climate change stakeholders in an effort to raise awareness about the project’s activities and its alignment with national initiatives, foster stakeholder engagement and gather feedback.

Representatives from SICA’s CCAD Technical Committee on Climate Change, government officials responsible for climate transparency, SICA staff, and ICAT implementing partners, participated in various discussions on climate transparency and the role of the hub.

“Our vision for the role of the hub is to help surpass national challenges, ensure sustained communication and knowledge sharing, and empower capacity building. Central American countries are rich in experience. We need to foster knowledge sharing to build resilience” said the Director of the hub, Dr. Lennox Gladden.

The discussions centered around regional gaps and needs in climate transparency and the transition from the current frameworks to the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework. They also covered the topics of strategic engagement of stakeholders, and the project’s proposed work plan, including opportunities for collaboration.

The workshop participants highlighted key elements to be considered in the hub’s work. They recognized that climate transparency went beyond just climate benefits, but could also also inform public policy, help mobilize resources and encourage citizen participation, contributing to sustainable development.

The participants particularly highlighted the need for technical support to strengthen capacities, as well as the importance of collaboration and information sharing among countries. Central American countries are preparing their first biennial transparency reports under the Paris Agreement, due by the end of 2024. As transparency efforts are intensifying, institutions like the hub can play a vital role in supporting them.

The stakeholder’s input will help shape the hub’s future path in its effort to provide support to the eight SICA countries.