By Jeff Kapembwa
Zambia is hosting over 500 climate change interest groups that have converged in Lusaka for the 10th Global National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo with a call for speedy implementation of the belated action sought to pacify over the surging global weather impasse.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a body established and tasked to finding innovative solutions for climate change adaptation and building global resilience, says it was time for all parties to start implementing the NAP using chiefly locally designed solutions unlike planning to insulate their countries from climate induced crisis.
Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation at UN Climate Change, and is leading the UNFCCC’s involvement in the NAP Expo currently underway in Lusaka and organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the UNFCCC calls for action and nip the climate catastrophe in the bud, warning that the consequences of delaying were severe on humanity and environment.
“This is not the time for planning, it’s time for implementing the NAP and this is not just for the African continent, but for the world,” said Nassef, during the opening of the NAP Expo in Lusaka with a call to escalate the fight.
“We should aim to add to the momentum, and scale it up to another level.” he argues.
LEG chair Adao Soares Barbosa called for urgent transition into implementation of the NAP by 2030 and that the time for scaled up transformation was now as was resolved during the COP 28 of the UNFCCC for all parties to have their National Adaptation Plans in place by 2025.
This was to create room for transition into implementation by 2030—the time for scaled up, necessitating transformative action to allow for financial access for implementation.
Barbosa describes the NAP as being more than a planning document as it enables countries to identify their priorities, mobilize resources, and deliver adaptation at scale.
For such plans to be effective, they must be grounded in scientific evidence, inclusive of all stakeholders, aligned with development objectives, and supported by August 2025 LDC Expert Group.
Barbosa upholds the expo theme: “Innovations in the NAP Process” as timely as it emphasizes the need to find creative and effective ways to adapt to climate change and build resilience.
The event seeks to focus on showcasing and discussing new approaches and technologies in the NAP process. It focuses on enabling countries to formulate, update, and implement their NAPs, and to secure the financial and technical support necessary to do so.
“The NAP Expo offers an opportunity for us all to explore practical approaches to advance NAPs.” He told delegates, adding:
“These include the use of science and data for informed decision-making, approaches that address systemic risks, strategies to mobilize and align finance, and solutions that strengthen inclusive stakeholder engagement.”
The LEG pledges its commitment to supporting countries in formulating and implementing their NAPs. It will strive to provide technical guidance, building capacity, facilitating peer learning.
It further calls for assisting countries in identifying options for accessing resources under the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism and other sources through partners in promoting coherence and coordination in support of NAPs.
There are plans by LEG to continue building on the networks, partnerships, and good practices that have emerged from past Expos and further strengthen our technical resources and support.
Minister for Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha, acknowledged the impact of climate change on the country and outlined the various interventions undertaken by Zambia.
This is to insulate the country from climatic induced hazards as enshrined in the Climate Change Act and the 8th National Development Plan.
Acknowledging the implications of the climatic effects on Least Developed Countries and the planet, Minister Mposha urged the international community to provide financing for adaptation to compensate for the injustice induced on the affected countries.
The action was a response to the new collective quantified goal on climate finance for developed countries to triple finance to developing countries, from the previous goal of US$100 billion annually to US$300 billion annually by 2035.
The financial and lending institutions are urged to streamline and ease the conditions for LDCs to access financing for implementation of the NAPs.
This will allow LDCs to leverage innovative sources of finance that avail scaled up financial resources for implementing the financial mechanism under the convention and the multilateral development banks.
There is an urgent need to strengthen capacity-building and technology transfer, and to enhance the effectiveness of adaptation actions in addition to provision of financial support without leaving anyone behind.
“Implementation of adaptation actions can only be effective and accelerated with the participation of all stakeholders particularly the vulnerable groups such as women, children and youth, persons with disabilities and the aged.” Minister Mposha urged
He challenged the expo to devise means of how to transform NAPs into investable and bankable plans attractive to attract investment and partnerships to help resolve the climatic effects.
The United Nations in Zambia commended Zambia for hosting the 2025 Global NAP Expo, describing it as both a celebration and a call to action for all partners, stakeholders, and individuals in putting their NAP strategic visions into motion.
Dr. Clement Peter Lasuba said in a statement read for him by Dr. James Wakiaga, the country’s UNDP Resident Representative said the Expo being hosted by Zambia had received support from the UN system because of its significance to fighting climate change.
The UN family, through UNDP Climate Promise, is also supporting Zambia in revising its NDC 3.0, arguably to submit it ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30).
This aligns with the UN’ commitment to supporting climate change adaptation planning and policy through National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes in developing and least developed countries.
UNDP is supporting eight African countries through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme to translate NAPs into concrete and transformative climate solutions.
In Zambia, the UN-led partnership comprising UNDP, FAO, and WFP is leveraging GCF financing to support small-scale farmers through the Strengthening Climate Resilience in Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions I & II (SCRALA) project.
Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Zambia Meteorological Department and the Water Resources Management Authority, the project has reached over 170,000 smallholder farmers across 16 districts in five provinces since its launch in February 2019.
It promotes climate-resilient agriculture through modern technologies, sustainable practices, and improved climate awareness.
Beyond agriculture, the United Nations in partnership with the Government of Zambia, the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund, South-South cooperation, and other partners is implementing critical initiatives in energy, environmental management.
It is also assisting in facilitating, biodiversity conservation, and waste management. These efforts aim to strengthen resilience, promote sustainable use of natural resources, and improve livelihoods at the grassroots level.
Expo Key areas of focus:
• Unlocking NAP potential: Exploring how to maximize the impact of NAPs in driving the next generation of adaptation efforts.
• Regenerative futures and nature-based solutions: Highlighting the role of natural systems in climate adaptation.
• Indigenous leadership: Recognizing the vital role of indigenous communities in climate action.
• Philanthropy’s role: Examining the contribution of philanthropic organizations in supporting NAP implementation.
• Financing resilient food systems: Discussing strategies for securing financial resources for climate-resilient agriculture.
• Africa’s Agenda 2063: Exploring how to align NAPs with the continent’s development goals.
• Other areas: The event will also delve into topics like AI tools for adaptation, gender-responsive planning, youth leadership, human mobility, and the climate-conflict nexus.
• Advancing Gender-Responsive and Socially Inclusive NAPs for More Effective and Equitable Adaptation