The Least Developed Countries Expert Group recently convened in Ethiopia to discuss ways to support the least developed countries (LDCs) address climate change. Top on the meeting agenda was how to assist LDCs in their national adaptation plans (NAPs), and how to support the implementation of adaptation strategies. To date, only 22 out of 45 LDCs have successfully implemented NAPs. Extreme weather events, fragile economies, technological capacity and weak institutions pose a serious challenge for LDCs and climate change adaptation. UNFCCC Secretariat member Paul Desanker emphasises the need to address the gaps. “Efforts are being made to transform the NAPs to attract the necessary financing for implementing adaptation actions by the LDCs, along with transforming how funding is provided to the LDCs, to address the persistent obstacles and challenges they face in accessing financing that is available,” says Desanker.
