IISD hosts the Secretariat for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network (“The Network”), a leading international initiative focused on accelerating adaptation planning and action in the Global South to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems, economies, and people—particularly women and marginalized social groups—to the impacts of climate change. Established in 2014 at COP 20, the NAP Global Network currently connects more than 3,000 participants from over 170 countries with financial support from an expanding base of donors.
The Network’s success depends on strengthening technical and institutional capacities, building an active community of experts, and promoting greater global policy recognition around adaptation planning and action. This is achieved through the Network’s three activity areas: a) providing short- and longer-term in-country technical support on adaptation planning, b) facilitating South–South peer learning and exchange, and c) generating, synthesizing, and sharing knowledge on NAP processes. The Network is committed to ensuring that adaptation planning and action are gender equitable and socially inclusive.
The main functions of the Secretariat for the NAP Global Network are participant liaison, thought leadership, coordination of technical support, organization of peer learning events and exchanges, policy tracking, strategic communications, reporting, administration, and fundraising. IISD is responsible for the recruitment and administrative management of this position.
The NAP Global Network’s activities are currently driven by its new 2030 strategy with financial support from a mix of governments and foundations. As the Network’s profile continues to grow, so too does demand for its resources and support. Moving forward, it will be important to manage these increasing—and evolving—demands for support, secure the additional human and financial resources to meet such demands, leverage the Network’s collective experience to contribute to relevant policy conversations, and have a secretariat that is fit for purpose.