Background
Regional training workshops on NAPs are planned for 2019 as part of the rolling work programme for 2018–2019 of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the UNFCCC. The LEG will take into consideration the observation and feedback gathered, including lessons learned and best practices from the previous round of workshops, while focusing on topics that would best benefit the LDCs and the stage that they are in along their process of formulating and implementing their NAPs. It will also take into consideration current support landscape of the countries in terms of the process.
The training conducted in 2017 focused on the preparatory elements of the process. It adopted a highly interactive approach focusing on results of limited Open NAP case studies of selected countries. The early versions of the Integrative Framework for NAPs and SDGs (NAP-SDG iFrame) for assessment was also used for demonstrating how a NAP can address both adaptation and sustainable development, as well as other frameworks.
Past workshops and related NAP events have demonstrated the value of learning by doing, and the value of engagement in arriving at adaptation plans that would be owned by the countries.
Optimizing impact for LDCs (and accelerating action for Vision 2020 of the LEG)
Past workshops conducted by the LEG focused on all LDCs and non-LDCs in all five regions to ensure that developing countries will have equal exposures and opportunity for learning and eventually apply in their home country to advance the process. In this years’ training, the LEG will give due focus to LDCs that are lagging in terms of advancing the formulation and implementation of NAPs based on multiple criteria. These countries will be the core focus of building capacity, through training and learning, in advancing their NAPs in their respective countries.
While most LDCs are receiving support to advance the process, many are still lagging behind thus will impact the LEG’s vision in assisting all LDCs to develop their NAP by 2020.
The first workshop is meant to assist LDCs in developing a workable roll out plan to advance their NAPs given their needs and gaps on various aspects, including individual and institutional capacities.
Issues to take into account
The following points are drawn from the preparatory materials from the LEG paper on elements for the new work programme:
Proposed approach by applying the Open NAP concept
There is potential to design a workout for an Open NAP for each participating country to help advance towards a quality NAP by building on multiple inputs and support that the Open NAP can help mobilize.
The Open NAP approach would apply the NAP-SDG iFrame, and in-so-doing, help integrate the technical advice from different sectoral agencies, thereby ensuring the NAPs would be comprehensive and cover all necessary guiding principles and frameworks that must be considered according to the NAP guidelines. The frameworks would include the SDGs, related frameworks such as the Sendai Framework, the New Urban Agenda, regional or national development frameworks, etc., as well as the issues associated with multiple levels and scales (spatial and temporal).
The final product from the NAP workshop entails a complete and refined NAP for each participating country. See the Open NAP wikipage here.