NAP Global Network at NAP Expo 2019

From April 8 to 12, the NAP Global Network Secretariat was in Songdo, Republic of Korea for NAP Expo 2019. NAP Expo is a global forum organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to promote peer learning and foster exchanges among stakeholders in order to advance the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process. This is the sixth global NAP Expo since 2013, which brought together stakeholders from governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and donors.

The Secretariat was there to engage in discussions, to present at events and to launch our latest report, Engaging the Private Sector in National Adaptation Planning Processes. Below is a detailed overview of our participation.

Organizer(s): LEG, NAP Global Network | Tuesday, April 9, 2019

This session explored how alignment of country-level policy processes (e.g., NAP processes, disaster risk reduction strategies, national development plans) under these global agendas can help increase coherence, efficiency and effectiveness to advance climate-resilient development. It highlighted convergence of the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda in relation to strengthening resilience, building adaptive capacity, and reducing vulnerability to climate change and disasters. It also showcased how mapping agendas and in-country policy processes among international agencies, national commitments to international agendas and operational vehicles can contribute to climate-resilient development. As the NAP process is iterative and explicitly aims to integrate climate change adaptation in development processes, it provides important opportunities to advance climate-resilient development, thereby contributing to objectives under multiple agendas. This session also identified key enablers for alignment, such as institutional arrangements, capacity development and information sharing.

To learn more on the topic, read our latest brief, Alignment to Advance Climate-Resilient Development.

Advancing climate-resilient development through alignment of country efforts under the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework | Anika Terton, IISD

Advancing NAP through Linkages of Paris Agreement, SDGs and DRR; A Case of Kenya | Thomas Lerenten Lelekoitien, Kenya's Climate Change Directorate National

Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Cabinet Cluster’s Program Convergence Budgeting | Atty. Efren Bascos Head, Philippine’s Cabinet Cluster Secretariat

Organizer: Adaptation Committee | Wednesday, April 10

The 2019 Adaptation Forum, organized by the UNFCCC’s Adaptation Committee, focused on private sector engagement in climate change adaptation processes. The NAP Global Network kicked off the proceedings with the official launch of their new guidance report, Engaging the Private Sector in National Adaptation Planning Processes. The launch presentation, bolstered by case study examples, focused on: the importance of engaging the private sector in the NAP process; making the business case for investments in adaptation; the key factors that governments should put in place to enable private sector engagement in the process; and possible entry points for such engagement throughout the NAP planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation phases. The NAP Global Network Secretariat then participated as a discussant on a panel on private sector engagement in the NAP process, alongside representatives from the Adaptation Committee, Ghana and Colombia.

Engagement of the private sector into national adaptation planning processes, including NAPs: Challenges and opportunities | Cecilia da Silva Bernardo, Adaptation Committee Adaptation

Engaging the Private Sector in NAP Processes | Alec Crawford, IISD

Organizers: NAP GN, Southern Voices, KACCC, Maness Nkhata, Red Stripe/Jamaica  | Thursday, April 11

Involving multiple stakeholders in NAP processes is critical to ensuring that everyone’s resilience is strengthened, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable. This is why formulating and implementing NAPs typically involves three broad sets of stakeholders: 1) actors who are most directly involved in the process of formulation and implementation of NAPs; 2) actors who provide knowledge, experience, expertise and funds to the process; and 3) actors who directly benefit from or are directly affected by the outcomes of these adaptation efforts. This session featured discussions with representatives from civil society and government who will share best practices, experiences and lessons resulting from their active engagement with stakeholders at all levels of adaptation planning and implementation in selected countries.

To learn more about vertical integration in NAP processes, read our guidance note.

Organizer: Green Climate Fund Private Sector Facility | Thursday, April 11

This session addressed the opportunities for private investment in adaptation and how the Green Climate Fund’s Private Sector Facility (PSF) can promote such investments. The NAP Global Network presented its new guidance report, Engaging the Private Sector in National Adaptation Planning Processes to help frame the discussions; its presentation was followed by two profiles of existing, PSF-supported private sector adaptation actions currently being undertaken by Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and Acumen.  

Promoting paradigm shift through NAPs and adaptation projects | Dr. Ania Grobicki, GCF

Organizer(s): NAP GN, NAP-Ag (FAO/UNDP) | Friday, April 12

This session focused on increasing understanding of gender-responsive NAP processes and sharing perspectives, experiences and lessons learned on gender analyses to inform NAP processes. An initial presentation offered an introduction to gender-responsive NAP processes and their approaches, drawing attention to key elements requiring their attention. It also offered an explanation for why NAP-focused gender analyses are needed as well as further resources. A panel discussion featured representatives from Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire and and NAP-Ag discussing their program’s work in Uruguay, as well as emerging results and lessons learned in their countries. Finally, breakout groups were formed to round off the session, where participants addressed some of the key questions that a NAP-focused gender analysis needs to answer.

Read our latest briefing note on conducting gender analysis to inform NAP processes. Since 2018, the NAP Global Network has been working with Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea-Conakry, Madagascar and Togo to undertake targeted gender analyses to inform their NAP processes. This briefing note offers insights and lessons learned on the process.

Conducting NAP-focused gender analyses: emerging results and lessons learned | Julie Dekens, IISD

Organizer: NAP Global Network | Friday, April 12

By working to ensure that the right messages reach the right audiences through the right communications channels, NAP teams can advance their goals throughout the NAP process, whether their aim is to build high-level support for the NAP, engage colleagues across ministries, raise donors’ awareness of their adaptation priorities or better engage citizens.

This session focused on how strategic communications can support the process to formulate and implement NAPs and highlighted good practices on communications related to the NAP process in two countries—Saint Lucia and Grenada.

Read our sNAPshot country brief on strategic communication on the NAP process in Saint Lucia, and read the session’s presentations.

Strategic communications for the NAP process | Christian Ledwell, NAP Global Network

Strategic Communication for the NAP process in Grenada | Trevor Thompson, Chief Land Use Officer, Government of Grenada