From May 18 to 21, the global flagship event dedicated to national adaptation plans (NAPs) is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together a wide range of key actors from countries, agencies, and organizations from the adaptation community.
The NAP Global Network Secretariat is participating in the 11th NAP Expo, co-hosting sessions with partner countries and organizations to exchange insights and lessons on how to achieve effective, inclusive NAP processes.
Under the theme ‘Climate resilience by 2030 and beyond,’ this annual event is organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in collaboration with various bodies and organizations.
The full NAP Expo 2026 program can be accessed via this link.
At this NAP Expo, the NAP Global Network’s activities focused on
- advancing climate change adaptation investment plans;
- strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems for NAP processes;
- integrating the education sector into NAP processes; and
- gender equality and social inclusion in NAP processes.
At this year’s NAP Expo venue, held at Kigali Marriott Hotel, the NAP Global Network is co-hosting with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) an ‘Adaptation Investment Matchmaking Symposium’ on May 18-19. Spanning three 90-minute sessions, this symposium is designed to enable direct matchmaking between countries’ adaptation priorities set out in their NAPs and national climate action plans, and available financing.
See below for more details of this symposium and our participation at NAP Expo 2026.
Sessions
Adaptation Investment Matchmaking Symposium: Accelerating finance for NAP implementation
This symposium is co-organized by the NAP Global Network and UNDP as part of the NAP Expo 2026, with funding support from the Governments of Canada and Italy. It comprises three 90-minute events that will bring together government representatives and financing institutions to enable direct matchmaking between countries’ adaptation priorities, as articulated in the nationally determined contributions (NDC) and NAPs, and available financing.
These three events will convene government representatives engaged in the NAP process from ministries of finance, planning, and environment across 10 countries. Participants will present priority investments and engage in structured discussions with funders and financiers to facilitate and further connections between country needs and investment opportunities.
Hosts: NAP Global Network and UNDP
When:
- Session 1 | From NAP Priorities to Projects and Programmes as Part of an Adaptation Portfolio | Room TBC | Monday, May 18, 14:00–15:30 Kigali time (CAT/UTC+2)
- Session 2 | Developing Project Concepts and Profiles to Match National Priorities with Financing | Room TBC | Monday, May 18, 16:00–17:30 Kigali time (CAT/UTC+2)
- Session 3 | Pitching Project Ideas to Funders | Room TBC | Tuesday, May 19, 11:00–12:30 Kigali time (CAT/UTC+2)
2.8.2 Advancing MEL systems for NAP processes
The session will allow country practitioners to share experiences with national MEL systems and identify the specific guidance and support required to sustain and adjust such systems in the evolving adaptation landscape.
After a brief introduction to the MEL Toolkit and country practitioners’ presentations, participants will engage in a facilitated feedback exercise in small groups. Each group will focus on one priority theme to identify concrete additions or revisions for a future iteration of the toolkit. The session will conclude with a plenary discussion to consolidate findings to inform the toolkit’s update.
Host: Adaptation Committee, NAP GN
Date: Tuesday, May 19
Time: 14:00–15:30 Kigali time (CAT/UTC+2)
Location: TBD
Integrating the Education Sector into the NAP Process: Informal dialogue and networking opportunity
This informal dialogue will provide the opportunity for government and non-government partners to share how they are currently integrating the education sector into the NAP process, common approaches and lessons learned. It will also share new resources and opportunities from the NAP Global Network and Save the Children on the topic.
Host: Save the Children and NAP Global Network
Date: Wednesday, May 20
Time: 8:15 – 8:45 Kigali time (CAT/UTC+2)
Location: TBD
Events featuring NAP Global Network representatives as panelists
Exploring Models of Matching Country Adaptation Needs with Technical Assistance and Finance
At the 2026 NAP Expo, several investment matchmaking models for climate adaptation will be featured in different events organized by technical assistance providers. What lessons learned can be extracted from these different experiences to identify success cases and shortcomings as we aim to design scalable and effective matchmaking approaches?
This session will explore matchmaking models and collaboration frameworks for connecting country-driven adaptation needs with the strategic priorities of technical and financial partners. The discussion will also centre on fostering conversation between countries and supporting institutions to understand how institutions can adjust their mechanisms and ways of working to become more responsive to NAP priorities. The session will aim to outline actionable recommendations for the NAP Implementation Alliance to improve the connection between needs and support across technical assistance and finance.
Host: NAP Implementation Alliance
Date: Wednesday, May 20
Time: 14:00–15:30 Kigali time (CAT/UTC+2)
Location: TBD
Discover the latest information and trends in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Related Content
- BROCHURE | NAP Global Network Overview
- NEW REPORT | Integrating the Education Sector in the NAP Process
- ONLINE COURSE | Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for NAP Processes
- ONLINE COURSE | Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in NAP Processes
- PUBLICATION | Toolkit for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for NAP Processes
- INVENTORY | Innovative Financial Instruments for Climate Change Adaptation
- VIDEO | What Is the National Adaptation Plan Process?
Contact
For more information on the NAP Global Network’s activities and engagements, contact the Secretariat team at info@napglobalnetwork.org.
For media enquiries, please get in touch with our Communications Officer, Adrian Estanol, at aestanol@iisd.ca and our Communications Manager, Juliet Perry, at jperry@iisd.ca.
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