The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in partnership with the COMESA Secretariat will offer a two-day virtual training to technical officers from Member States on the preparation and submission process of new/updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

NDCs are national climate plans highlighting climate actions, including climate related targets, policies and measures governments aims to implement in response to climate change and as a contribution to global climate action. Central to the NDCs is the concept of national determination.

The training will be conducted on 28-29 June 2021 and will also cover the Katowice guidance on NDCs, which are also at the heart of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The virtual training will complement a similar in-person workshop on the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and NDCs for COMESA Member States whose dates will be announced later. Almost all COMESA Member States have ratified the Paris Agreement of 2015 and five already submitted a new or updated NDC in 2020/2021.

COMESA Climate Change Unit Programme Manager, Ms. Edith Tibahwa says the virtual training will enhance technical capacities of Member States in their preparation of new/updated NDCs in line with further guidance relevant for the preparation and communication of NDCs.

“Specifically, the training aims to familiarize participants with the process and requirements under the Paris Agreement relevant for the preparation and submission of new/updated NDCs in 2020,” she said.

The training is part of UNFCCC’s capacity building support to Parties, and it will be available to those that voluntarily register.