UN Climate Change News, 25 September 2025 - The inaugural pilot of UN Climate Change's Capacity-Building for Negotiators (CB4N) initiative concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, this week marking an important milestone in strengthening the voice of developing countries in global climate negotiations.
The training, jointly organized by UN Climate Change, its Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs), the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES), and the Centre for Multilateral Negotiations (CEMUNE) marks a significant step toward more inclusive and effective participation in the international climate change process.
Held from 17 to 19 September 2025, the training brought together nearly 25 negotiators from across Africa. AGNES' extensive regional expertise and the RCC's long-standing role in building regional negotiation capacity were instrumental in ensuring the success of the pilot.
"To succeed, the Paris Agreement needs inclusive and empowered participation from all nations" said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. "With CB4N, we are working to enable the negotiators of today and of the future, who will carry this agreement forward. The Nairobi pilot has laid a strong foundation and is ready to be replicated in other regions around the world."
The training employed a training-of-trainers approach, aiming not only at strengthening participants' individual skills, but also fostering a sustainable team of regional facilitators who will be able to replicate the training in the future. RCC experts co-delivered sessions alongside AGNES facilitators, providing practical, regionally tailored insights.
Over three days, participants enhanced their understanding of the UN Climate Change legal framework, climate science, negotiation techniques and strategic communication. Practical exercises, including simulations, role plays, and scenario-based discussions, ensured a hands-on learning experience. Innovative tools, such as artificial intelligence applications for negotiation support, were also piloted.
The pilot produced several key results: improved negotiation capacities for participants, the expansion of a network of regional facilitators, and the identification of Africa-specific priorities to guide the future roll-out of CB4N. Building on this success, the CB4N initiative, with continued leadership from RCCs and partners, is now ready to be replicated and scaled up in other countries.
"The training was very good. It provided an excellent opportunity to hear from the people who have been in the process long enough, but also worked behind the scenes so that you can understand how things happen," said Dr. George Wamukoya, lead negotiator on agriculture and team leader of AGNES. He highlighted how critical these insights are critical for effective participation, "and AGNES is proud to continue partnering with UN Climate Change and RCCs to expand this work."
Professor Raymond A. Kasei, expert in climate change, hydrology, gender, and modelling, from AGNES, added, "This training-of-trainers programme was exceptionally valuable for both new and experienced negotiators. It highlighted the importance of building the skills of moving beyond entrenched positions toward collaborative problem-solving approaches that acknowledge the urgency of climate action while respecting diverse national circumstances and priorities."
Patricia Nying'uro, Principal Meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Department, and participant in the event, said, "The training shifted my perspective on negotiations, emphasizing respect, collective goals, and practical strategies. The simulation was especially valuable, and I hope more negotiators can benefit from this experience."
The successful pilot in Nairobi has laid the groundwork for CB4N to be rolled out in other regions, contributing to a more inclusive climate process and drawing on RCCs and its partners to broaden its global reach beyond Africa.
