A two-day workshop was held on 12-13 May 2026 in Guatemala City to celebrate and evaluate the achievements of the Regional Centre for Climate Action Transparency for Central America and the Dominican Republic. The event brought together experts and professionals from the Hub’s member countries, including Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Cuba, to reflect on progress achieved and lessons learned over the past two and a half years. 

The ICAT Hub is hosted by the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) of the Central American Integration System (SICA), with technical support from Greenhouse Gas Management Institute and Libélula. 

Two and a half years of regional collaboration

Since 2023, the Hub has served as a platform for technical cooperation and capacity building, bringing together SICA member countries and Cuba around a shared commitment to strengthening climate action transparency. Peer learning has been central to the Hub’s approach. Each country brought its own experience and expertise, and through regular exchanges, all member country experts gained knowledge and strengthened capacity collectively. 

In two and a half years of operation, it grew into a trusted regional resource for climate transparency and delivered significant measurable results:

• Over 90 technical experts trained across energy, agriculture, AFOLU, waste, and adaptation
• 14 direct technical assistance activities organized
• Seven in-person workshops and more than ten specialized technical webinars delivered
• A public website with a repository of technical resources

The strengthened capacity and knowledge built through the Hub contributed to important advancements:

• Seven hub countries submitted their Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) to the UNFCCC
• Five countries updated their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Three countries demonstrated measurement, reporting, and verification systems in effective implementation

“Over the past two years, the Regional Centre has supported countries in meeting their Paris Agreement commitments, including the submission of NDCs and Biennial Transparency Reports – a priority for all CCAD member countries.” – Dr. Marisol Castillo, Executive Secretary, CCAD

Evaluating impact and looking ahead

The workshop provided a space to take stock of these achievements and identify transparency needs and opportunities going forward. Country representatives recognized the important role that transparency plays in helping countries achieve their strategic climate objectives.

“Transparency is not only a technical reporting exercise. It is a strategic tool for improving decision-making, guiding public policies, strengthening national capacities, and demonstrating, with evidence, the progress and challenges we face as a region in the face of the climate crisis.” – Andrea Fión, Director of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Guatemala

The CCAD Council of Ministers formally recognized the work carried out by the Hub and expressed the need for continuing operations. Among the priorities identified for the follow-up phase of the Hub’s operations are activities to promote the sustainability of installed technical capacities, explore linkages with international climate finance, develop strategic plans for the next years, and expand the regional expert network for South-South cooperation. 

As countries work towards achieving their NDCs, regional cooperation is seen as an important enabler for leveraging enhanced climate transparency to support effective implementation.