Who We Are

Hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the NAP Global Network Secretariat is a multidisciplinary team of experts, researchers, and practitioners.

Through a reliable, trusted and demand-led approach, the NAP Global Network helps under-resourced governments, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), strengthen capacities, access resources, and learn from peers to build climate resilience through adaptation action at scale. 

We operate as a hub, connecting adaptation policymakers and practitioners to the resources they need to advance their National Adaptation Plan processes—be that technical support, guidance notes or toolkits, or targeted training—as well as a community of peers working to address the same challenges.

We are trusted by the countries we work with because we are reliable and consistent, and we provide demand-led support. Instead of quick wins, we are focused on the hard work that takes time but brings about lasting change. That means prioritizing relationships and inclusivity, strengthening long-term capacities, and improving governance systems. The Network stays with government adaptation teams over time, helping them navigate institutional, financial, and implementation barriers and increase effectiveness as NAP processes evolve.

But we don’t provide one-size-fits-all solutions. We draw on our expertise working with 90+ different national governments, in a range of different contexts, to provide co-designed support tailored to each country’s needs and goals while, critically, connecting and convening countries that might be facing similar challenges.

Because IISD hosts the Secretariat, NAP GN can also draw on wider expertise in public finance, trade, infrastructure, nature-based solutions, governance, and social equity, helping countries address interconnected barriers to implementation.

Since the Network was founded in 2014, adaptation planning has advanced significantly, with almost all developing countries now having a NAP process underway. The challenge now is turning those plans and priorities into concrete measures. Progress is uneven, with implementation lagging, some plans becoming outdated, and persistent capacity and financing gaps constraining action.

Between now and 2030, our priority is to help accelerate the shift from planning to implementation by focusing on three mutually reinforcing approaches: building the right systems, using the right levers, and engaging the right actors. You can read more about our 2025 – 2030 strategy here.