8 October 2015: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published a report, titled ‘Progress report on the work of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention: report on the training workshop for the African region on the preparation of biennial update reports (BURs)’ (FCCC/SBI/2015/17). The report was published in advance of the 43rd session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), which will meet in Paris, France, during the period from 30 November to 11 December 2015.

The CGE, with the help of the Secretariat, undertook a regional training workshop on the preparation of BURs from non-Annex I Parties for the African region in Bonn, Germany, from 23-25 February 2015. The main objectives of the workshop were to: enhance the capacity of national experts to use the UNFCCC BUR guidelines to facilitate the preparation of BURs; raise awareness of the international consultation and analysis (ICA) process; and provide the opportunity to exchange views, lessons learned and experiences relating to the preparation of national communications (NCs) and BURs. The report details the workshop proceedings and summarizes the discussions.

Specifically, the workshop addressed: an overview of the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) framework for developing country Parties; support for the preparation of BURs; reporting on national circumstances and institutional arrangements in BURs, reflecting on previous national communication experiences; reporting on mitigation actions and their effects; reporting on national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories; and reporting on constraints and gaps, and related finance, technology and capacity-building needs and support received. [Publication: Progress Report on BURs and Report on the Training Workshop for the African Region on the Preparation of BURs]