14 April 2026, Apia - Representatives from Pacific countries are gathering in Samoa to build their capacity to be able to report under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), an important milestone in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, that establishes standardised, mandatory procedures for countries to report on their climate actions.
The Workshop on the use of the ETF Reporting Tools for Pacific Island Countries is taking place at the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) hosted at SPREP’s Vailima headquarters from 14-17 April. The training, organised by SPREP and supported by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, is funded with UK International Development assistance from the UK Government.
“It is always a pleasure to host our members here at our SPREP headquarters and I’d like to welcome you all,” said SPREP’s Climate Change Adviser, Mr Tim Breese, who is also Officer in Charge of the Climate Change Resilience programme.
“The workshop has been intentionally designed to be hands-on, with practical exercises and interactive activities so that participants can take back a number of learnings to enhance their national transparency processes."
“SPREP would like to acknowledge, with sincere thanks, the United Kingdom, as this project is funded with UK International Development assistance from the UK Government,” added Mr Breese. “We encourage you to fully engage with all that this training has to offer.”
The ETF provides the guidelines for a centralised global reporting system that allows the UNFCCC to track progress on how Parties are advancing their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how they are adapting to climate change.
It builds upon the system for reporting that was already in place under the Convention. The first reports under the Paris Agreement to the ETF were due by 31 December 2024 at the very latest.
For this to happen countries had to agree on when the Paris Agreement’s ETF would replace the existing transparency arrangements and on the specific provisions, guidelines and processes for reporting and review.
Ms Lornaliza Kogler, Team Lead Information Unit in the Transparency Division of the UNFCCC Secretariat, said the UNFCCC was delighted to partner with SPREP to deliver the training.
“The Enhanced Transparency Framework marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Paris Agreement,” she said.
“In this context, the ETF reporting tools play a key role. They are designed to support Parties in compiling and presenting information in a structured and harmonized way, while also facilitating review and assessment. Making the most of these tools really depends on close collaboration between policy and technical experts—exactly the mix of expertise we have in the room.”
The workshop this week has been designed to support Pacific countries in this process.
“Over the coming days, you will have the chance to explore each of the reporting tools in detail, better understand how they work in practice, and clarify any questions you may have. Just as importantly, it is an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from one another.”
Pacific Islands contribute to less than 0.03% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions yet we are amongst the most vulnerable to its impacts.
It’s the effects of climate change that have led our Pacific Leaders to declare that climate change is the greatest existential threat to the security of our livelihoods.
The work in Samoa this week on the ETF continues the Pacific’s legacy and leadership on climate action.
To understand the Enhanced Transparency Framework, click here.
The “Hands on training workshop on the use of the ETF Reporting Tools for Pacific Island Countries” will be held from 14 to 17 April 2026 in Apia Samoa. The training is funded with UK International Development from the UK Government. It is organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme with the support of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.