Zambia’s quest to insulate against climate change variables that swamped and reduced the country’s growth projections in the farming season 2023/24 have started in earnest with the country hosting an international expo on its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) next month.

The Expo dubbed: “Innovations in the NAP Process”, the ninth since inception, and expected to cost US$34.7 billion to host, is intended to allow Zambia showcase its preparedness to counter climate change effects.

This is also to help identify and prioritise actions needed to counter and adapt to the impact of the crisis and allow the country to live with the global changes but remain resilient.

Key sectors identified as afflicted by climate change in Zambia include among other designs severely afflicted, water, agriculture, energy, forestry, health, wildlife and infrastructure.

Climate experts describe NAP a strategic framework developed by countries, Zambia included on how to identify and prioritise actions needed to adapt to the impact of climate change across various sectors.

The NAP framework, when effectively implemented, helps to enhance resilience to climate impacts through identification of vulnerabilities, proposing adaptation measures.

In turn, it will help secure resources for implementation of the adaptation actions, which the country seeks to spend a staggering US$35 billion as a countervailing measure.

Mike Mposha, the minister of Green Environment and Green Economy is gratified at Zambia’s opportunity to host the global NAP expo to help showcase and share ideas on various adaptation measures are and should be undertaken to resist the thrust of climate change on people, economy and the environment as evidenced in 2023/24 season which facilitated an El Nino-induced drought.

Zambia’s opportunity to host the planned international NAP expo, was granted by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the Conference of Parties (COP) 29 and hosted in the Azerbaijan capital, Baku.

The initiative to share ideas and plan for adaptation against climate induced actions under NAP was initiated by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group which later formulated the National Global NAP, culminating in the first Expo being hosted by Bonn in Germany in 2013.

Minister Mposha justifies Zambia’s desire to host this year’s global expo and the budgeted US$35 billion to ensure it transforms into a fully resilient and adaptive country between 2023-2035.

The adopted theme resonates with the urgent need to innovate in the 5 design and implementation of (NAPS).

Hosting the 2025 Global NAP Expo next month will accord Zambia the opportunity to showcase its National Adaptation Plan with a view to mobilizing resources for its implementation Minister Mposha told lawmakers.

“It will also enable Zambia to learn from other countries and international organizations on transformative adaptation initiatives and how to advance the implementation of NAPS.

Botswana became the first African country to host the global NAP expo in 2022. Bangladesh hosted the climate change event. Zambia is desirous to showcase its NAP as it transcends into a climate resilient state.

Zambia two years ago chaired the negotiation team for Africa during Egypt’s COP 28.