Various engagements around issues of adaptation and resilience have yielded considerable insights into the kind of support countries need in formulating and implementing their national adaptation plans (NAPs). The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) joined over 300 participants from countries, academia, research organizations, donor agencies, and non-state actors for the 7th Global National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2022, or NAP Expo, held in Gaborone, Botswana from August 22 to 26, 2022.
The annual event was organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The main objective of NAP Expo is to promote an exchange of experiences and foster partnerships between a wide range of actors and stakeholders on how countries can advance their national adaptation plans.
A CIF delegation participated in several high-profile meetings, including bilateral engagement with Dr. Youssef Nassef, Director of the Adaptation Program at the UNFCCC Secretariat. The discussion focused on improving access to adaptation finance as well as CIF’s support for transformational adaptation actions leveraging its unique business model. CIF also contributed to a LEG-organized discussion on the development and application of future scenarios in the context of NAP formulation and implementation, including “fit for purpose” scenarios at national and local levels, as well as across complex socio-environment-economic dimensions.
This year’s NAP Expo was Rosalia Pedro’s first. She is Head of Climate Information Systematization Department, National Directorate of Climate Change in Mozambique. She was struck by the diverse discussions and learning opportunities that aligned with her work back home.
She says, “It was a great opportunity to learn about the technical and financial mechanisms available to help developing countries, sectors, and local communities adapt to climate change. The various interesting presentations and discussions provided me good insights into how my country could benefit from the NAP process in a transformative way.”
The CIF delegation also briefly met the President of Botswana, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, during his official tour of the Expo where they talked with the President about CIF’s work in Africa and the new programs.
At a dedicated thematic session “Investing in Transformational Climate-Resilient Development: the CIF Experience” the CIF delegation brought together a wide variety of stakeholders. The discussion elevated the perspectives of the country representatives working with the CIF’s Pilot Program Climate Resilience (PPCR) as well as multilateral development bank partners from the African Development Bank (AfDB). With their extensive hands-on experience, they brought thought-provoking views on how to ensure a solid foundation that enables the effective delivery of resilience investments. The forum also worked through CIF’s transformational change and just transition frameworks and how they can facilitate the work of countries on planning for, and implementation of, national adaptation plans.
Chitembo Chunga, Zambia PPCR Focal Point, participated in the CIF forum and found this year’s NAP Expo reinvigorating, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic paused this important event on the international climate calendar.
She says, “The first NAP Expo after [COVID-19] renewed my impetus to act aggressively on implementation of adaptation activities at a community level. The holistic approach to adaptation that was echoed throughout the week in the sessions reinforced the CIF business model to climate change including its inclusion of all stakeholders in the implementation, especially the private sector and local communities.”
Other key discussion points include:
The need for well-formulated investment plans, based on rigorous diagnostics, broad stakeholder consultations, and informed by evidence that can mobilize the finance needed to implement national adaptation plans.
After a 3-year hiatus due to COVID -imposed travel restrictions, NAP Expo participants capitalized on making in-person connections and meeting old and new partners. The next NAP Expo will be held in South Korea in August 2023.