The Republic of Maldives, as Chair of the Coalition of Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CANCC), hosted a 3-day Peer Learning Cohort workshop on National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes—with a focus on nature-based solutions and food security—from April 22 to 24, 2025. The NAP Global Network provided technical and financial support for the workshop through funding from Global Affairs Canada.
Adaptation decision-makers from the five CANCC member countries—Kiribati, the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Tokelau, and Tuvalu—participated in the workshop. The workshop included participation from institutional partners, the Asian Development Bank (ADB); the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Presidency Chair, Palau; the Maldives Wetland Foundation; the Maldives’ Small Island Geographic Society (SIGS); and the University of Melbourne.
The workshop objectives were to
- facilitate open and honest technical discussion on CANCC members’ national adaptation planning processes, with a focus on nature-based solutions and food security;
- sustain ongoing peer learning and exchange among CANCC members on challenges to and opportunities for national adaptation planning and implementation; and
- identify areas where funders and development partners can better support CANCC members’ NAP processes.
The presentations and photos from this forum are available below. For more information, read our joint press release with the Maldivian government and media coverage by MV+ and Corporate Maldives.
Photo Gallery
Day 1 | April 22
Introduction to the NAP process and South-South peer learning | Orville Grey, NAP Global Network
Tracking the Integration of Nature in NAP Processes | Alec Crawford, NAP Global Network
Tuvalu NAP: Emphasizing Nature-based Solution and Ecosystem Based Adaptation | Savali Fatoga, Litiana Talake, Marietta Teipauli, Faatupu Simeti, and Palakua Sakaio, Government of Tuvalu
How the NAP process can help scale up Nature-based Solutions | Alec Crawford & Anika Terton, NAP Global Network
Integrated Vulnerability Assessments (IVAs) in identifying and designing NbS and EbA measures in Kiribati | Secretary Tebwaatoki Taawetia, Tekimwau Otiawa, Emerlyn Yeeting, Ritema Itioa, Riria Moaniba, Government of Kiribati
Nature-based solutions for adaptation on atolls | Prof. Jon Barnett, University of Melbourne
Day 2 | April 23
Coral Reef Restoration Project at Rasfari Marine Protected Area (MPA) | Ahmed Leevan, Environmental Protection Agency, Maldives
Citizen science to gather data regarding coastal erosion and flooding through the Heylhi app | Zara Athif & Iffath Abdulla, Small Island Geographic Society, Maldives
Day 3 | April 24
Financing Transformational Adaptation for Resilient Atoll Nations | Alessio Giardino & Ad Jeuken, Asian Development Bank
Gender-responsive nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation | Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, Maldives Wetlands Foundation
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in NAP processes and Nature-based Solutions | Alec Crawford, Anika Terton, & Aurélie Ceinos, NAP Global Network
Related Resources
National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
- Joint Implementation Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KJIP) 2019-2028, Kiribati
- National Adaptation Plan of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Living with Change (LivC): An Integrated National Strategy for Enhancing the Resilience of Tokelau to Climate Change and Related Hazards, 2017-2030, Tokelau
Resources on EbA and NbS in NAP Processes
- Tracking Progress on the Integration of NbS and EbA in NAP Processes, NAP Global Network report
- Building Resilience With Nature: Maximizing EbA through NAP Processes, NAP Global Network report
- Amplifying EbA with NAP Processes, NAP Global Network video
Climate risk assessments in the NAP process
- Climate Risk Assessment for Ecosystem-based Adaptation: A guidebook for planners and practitioners, GIZ guidebook
- How Integrated Vulnerability Assessments Support NAP Processes in the Pacific Region (Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands), NAP Global Network briefing note
Gender and Social Inclusion for EbA and in NAP processes
- Toolkit for a Gender-Responsive Process to Formulate and Implement NAPs: Supplement to the UNFCCC Technical Guidelines for the NAP Process, NAP Global Network, Adaptation Committee, & Least Developed Countries Expert Group toolkit
- Inclusive NbS for Climate Adaptation: Reducing climate impacts in a way that works for everyone, IISD guide
- Gender and Human Rights Analysis: Ensuring a gender-responsive NAP in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands report
- Strengthening Gender Considerations in Kiribati’s NAP Process, Kiribati report
Country examples and case studies on NbS in the NAP process
- Environment Valuation of Huraa Mangrove: A case study of Ecological Social and Economic Perspectives, Mangroves for the Future report
- Nature-based solutions for atoll habitability, journal article by Prof Jon Barnett et al. Full PDF available via request to Prof. Barnett
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Tuvalu 2024-2029, UN Environment briefing note
- EMPOWER: Engaging Mobilisation for Positive Outcome in Water, Ecosystem, and Resilience, KIWA Initiative/SPREP briefing note on project that includes Tuvalu
- How Fiji Is Using the NAP Process to Scale Up EbA, NAP Global Network briefing note
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji, IISD briefing note