Transparency Enables Stronger Climate Action: UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell

The following is a transcript of remarks delivered by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell at a COP29 event on 12 November 2024 to recognize the first countries to submit Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) under the Paris Agreement.

The Enhanced Transparency Framework is now fully operational. To all those who have been on this journey with us – my congratulations and my sincere thanks. Transparency is a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement. It enables stronger climate action.

The progress made this year alone has been remarkable. I want to recognize the frontrunners – Andorra, Guyana, Panama, Japan, Spain, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands and Singapore – who have already submitted their reports, and set themselves apart as champions of transparency globally, setting a powerful example for other countries.

This is a stand and deliver COP. These countries are standing and delivering on this crucial commitment under the Paris Agreement. Each Biennial Transparency Report represents a milestone, capturing the strides made – and charting the path ahead.

They are vital enabling tools for governments and businesses, helping to build a robust evidence base critical to strengthening climate policies and climate action.

Because transparency is about so much more than reporting, as important as that is. It’s about learning and refining our strategies to achieve our goals.

The upcoming technical reviews and multilateral phase will highlight areas for improvement, identify capacity needs, measure progress, and strengthen transparency in the years to come.

This cycle of reporting and review is hard work. The secretariat has been determined to ensure that all countries, particularly vulnerable nations, have the capacity and support needed to act together for transparency.

UN Climate Change is working closely with all our partners and the COP29 Presidency to support countries, providing training, resources, and capacity-building opportunities every step of the way.

Over the past year alone, we have developed and launched online reporting tools for the Enhanced Transparency Framework, made it easier to submit reports and conduct expert reviews, and trained more than 2,000 national and international experts.

With the leadership of the COP29 Presidency, initiatives like the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform are expanding this support even more.

Transparency is crucial, not only because it highlights progress in climate action but because it spurs more action. Enabling data-driven responses that build resilience and protect vulnerable populations by identifying risks and vulnerabilities, and leading to better resource allocation.

It is crucial for the private sector also, to provide vital data that can help guide business and investment planning. Every submission, every lesson learned, brings us closer to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

For all these reasons, I urge all Parties to submit their Biennial Transparency Reports on time, using the support available from the secretariat wherever needed. I urge Parties to engage fully in the review process and share what you’ve learned.

And as many people here today who have benefitted from peer learning and good practices can tell you, this collective commitment is already paying off.

In short, transparency is 100% in every nation’s self-interest. And the secretariat is 100% committed and determined to provide every possible support along the way.

We are all on this journey together, for transparency.