UN Climate Change News, 12 October 2026 - UN Climate Change has conducted 100 technical expert reviews of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) under the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), marking a milestone in the first cycle of reviews launched in 2024. The milestone was reached last week with the conclusion of the in-country reviews for the first BTRs of Romania and Mongolia.
The 100 reviews have involved Parties across all regions and a wide range of national circumstances, including least developed countries and small island developing States.
Beyond the numbers, the first 100 reviews represent extensive technical collaboration among international review teams, national experts and institutions. Through facilitative technical dialogue and written exchanges, the reviews have helped Parties strengthen reporting systems, improve data quality, identify areas for improvement and better understand ETF requirements.
"BTR reviews are more than a technical exercise. When Parties undergo the review, they gain an objective assessment of their national information, they understand better their progress, and they can identify opportunities for improvement," said Xuehong Wang, Director of Transparency at UN Climate Change. "This can build confidence for more ambitious climate action and strengthen the evidence base for policymaking. This is how transparency becomes a driver of climate action and progress."
The milestone reflects the commitment of Parties and experts to advancing transparency despite complex reporting requirements and significant resource constraints. Centralized, regional and in-country reviews have provided flexibility in meeting growing demand for review services, while ensuring consistency and quality.
Lessons for the next review cycle
Experience from the first 100 reviews is informing efforts to improve review planning, tools and guidance, strengthen expert training and increase efficiency while maintaining the technical standards required under the Paris Agreement. These lessons will help shape preparations for the next cycle of BTR reviews.
Partnerships have been essential to this progress. Hundreds of experts, support from Parties, partner organizations and donor funding have helped make reviews possible and enabled capacity-building activities worldwide.
Attention is now turning to the next reporting cycle. Parties are due to submit their second BTRs by 31 December 2026. The experience gained during the first review cycle will help the ETF continue to evolve as a robust framework for tracking progress in implementing the Paris Agreement and strengthening trust among Parties.
Access detailed review information.
