More than 120 government representatives and experts gathered in Naivasha, Kenya, on 14-16 April 2026 for the 2026 Global Transparency Community Meetings. In the peaceful setting of Kenya’s natural landscape, under the theme of Transparency to drive effective implementation of NDC 3.0, the meetings offered a platform for in-depth learning and knowledge sharing.

Over three intensive days of discussions and interactive exercises, participants explored topics from building national transparency frameworks to support the implementation of countries’ Third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) to assessing the impact of policies and measures to transparency feeding into NDC 3.0 financing strategies. 

The immersive, participatory, distraction-free setting enabled participants to engage deeply in dialogue, collective problem-solving, and peer learning.

Organized as a collaborative effort by international transparency support providers and with the participation of representatives from some 70 countries, the Global Transparency Community Meetings generated a solid knowledge base and tangible momentum for data-driven action to advance NDC 3.0 implementation.

A cycle of strengthening climate action through transparency

A clear and recurring message throughout the event was that NDCs and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) were not isolated outputs but rather part of the basic architecture intended to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Agreement. BTRs present data and information on greenhouse gas emissions and projections, progress on mitigation and adaptation targets, and finance needs and flows. These build on and feed back into the design of NDCs and of the policies and measures needed to translate targets into credible and realistic action. 

The discussions showed how transparency enables countries to assess gaps and progress during NDC implementation and provides the basis for data-driven policy and investment decisions. Through its data and analysis, transparency strengthens implementation, reporting and assessment of the achievement of national and global targets. 

Participants emphasized that national transparency frameworks are helping establish the governance structures needed to deepen sectoral engagement and strengthen national ownership of climate action. They repeatedly underlined the importance of sustained institutional coordination, integrated data platforms, and thematic sectoral working groups to support implementation. 

As one participant put it, “transparency is a powerful exchange platform.” It brings together all levels of government and economic sectors, clarifying their roles through transparent, data-driven processes. Transparency is shifting from a project-based exercise to a continuous and holistic strategic approach to climate action planning and implementation.

Transparency as a strategic tool for climate and development action

The discussions highlighted a growing recognition of transparency as a strategic tool. The information provided by transparency frameworks, from greenhouse gas emission sources to adaptation opportunities to climate finance gaps, compiles a rich basis for planning and orienting policy and action.

Assessing the impact of policies and measures, and using transparency-generated information to design improved policies and measures, featured prominently in the event’s sessions. More than greenhouse gas emissions, these assessments can also shed light on the socio-economic dimensions of climate action, revealing both positive and negative impacts. Policymaking informed by such insights puts countries on the right track to achieve their development goals, highlighting the interlinkages between climate action and development and enabling sustained action. 

Transparency’s strategic role was also recognized in the context of climate finance. By linking policies, costs, and impacts, it strengthens credibility and investment cases, while also guiding the allocation of funds toward high-impact actions and enabling the consideration of a broad mix of funding sources, including public and private as well as domestic and international flows.

An increasing number of developing countries are establishing or planning to establish national climate finance transparency frameworks. These cover aspects such as taxonomies, budget tagging, costing of implementation, and online platforms to document and track climate finance needs and flows. 

In some countries, transparency efforts have increased credibility with international partners and supported the mobilization of finance. Countries are taking steps to enhance their transparency frameworks to support more effective resource mobilization and management, including from the private sector. Overall, transparency was widely recognized as a lever for effective NDC 3.0 financing strategies.

A united global community for transparency and implementation

As government representatives and experts from around the world gathered in Naivasha, some long acquainted, others forging new connections, there was a shared sense of belonging to a global community. Time and time again over the three days of the meetings, in conversations during and between sessions, participants admitted to facing many similar challenges and turned to each other for solutions. 

A striking takeaway was the pace of progress. Most countries have significantly advanced their transparency efforts in recent years, successfully submitting their first BTRs and NDC 3.0, and establishing national frameworks that meet fundamental transparency requirements. Country representatives were eager to share this progress and enable peers to learn from their successful practices.

Support needs, however, remain, particularly to further improve and expand existing systems, strengthen sectoral governance, digitize data management, and enhance in-country expertise. In strong transparency frameworks, countries see an opportunity to independently chart a course ahead, reducing their reliance on external consultants and establishing national ownership of the climate agenda.

Far beyond a reporting exercise, transparency was unanimously recognized as a driver of transformative climate action. And the momentum and collective learning achieved through the Global Transparency Community Meetings were a powerful enabler of this change. In the words shared by one participant after the event, “Returning home with more than notes. With energy, ideas, and renewed drive.”

The 2026 Global Transparency Community Meetings were co-organized by the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT), the Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency–Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the technical support from other partners, including the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA).