Countries Gather in Nigeria to Strengthen Efforts to Link Climate Change Adaptation and Peacebuilding

Countries Gather in Nigeria to Strengthen Efforts to Link Climate Change Adaptation and Peacebuilding

May 5, 2026

From May 5⁠ to 7, 2026, the Government of Nigeria is bringing together government representatives from across Africa in Abuja for a dialogue on building climate resilience and peace in conflict-affected nations.

Participants from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan are taking part in a 3-day peer learning event in Abuja focused on strengthening national responses to their unique climate change vulnerabilities and risks, and identifying adaptation measures that reduce conflict and actively promote peace.

The peer learning event, co-hosted by Nigeria and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network, will unpack opportunities and challenges on how countries can align their adaptation priorities and actions with peacebuilding frameworks.

“As we grapple with the impacts of climate change, linking adaptation and peacebuilding efforts are high on Nigeria’s climate agenda. Despite the challenges, we recognized the urgent need to design conflict-sensitive national adaptation plans that align with our peacebuilding and development objectives,” said Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, director of the Department of Climate Change in Nigeria. “This event represents an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and exchange to leverage national adaptation plan processes for policy dialogue, trust, and peacebuilding.”

Salihu Usman, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry Of Environment, (right) delivered opening remarks during the ceremony. (Photo: Jeremiah Ekpo)

Conflict-affected states and communities, which are acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, might find it challenging to prioritize climate change adaptation while grappling with immediate needs, such as ensuring security, restoring public services, or delivering clean water.

Despite fragmented responses in conflict-affected settings, several countries are striving to integrate conflict and peacebuilding considerations into adaptation priorities through their NAP processes—a key vehicle to put adaptation at the heart of decision making.

Studies have shown that inclusive and effective NAP processes offer an opportunity to integrate conflict dynamics and peacebuilding objectives into adaptation efforts.

“Many conflict-affected states are also among the most vulnerable to climate change. The NAP process can help to break this cycle,” said Anne Hammill, Associate Vice-President for Resilience at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, which hosts the NAP Global Network Secretariat. “Through this peer learning event, we are aiming to foster open and honest discussions among participants on leveraging the NAP process for peacebuilding.”

The NAP Global Network helps accelerate climate change adaptation efforts around the world by supporting partner countries in advancing their NAP processes.

Peer learning is a key pillar of the NAP Global Network’s support to countries on NAP processes, and it has engaged more than 1,000 adaptation planners from 84 countries to participate in peer learning. This peer learning event is taking place with funding from the Government of Ireland.