The Gambia-National Adaptation Plan Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP)

The National Adaptation Plan Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP) is a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) programme, financed by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF). The NAP-GSP is assisting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). NAPs will bring greater focus and coordination to country-led efforts in disaster management and disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation. The NAP will add to the strategic suite of other sectoral plans and policies for countries that help to guide internal development resourcing mechanisms as well as those provided by donors. The programme was launched on 14 June 2013. As of November 2013, partner agencies to the NAP-GSP include UNDP, UNEP, World Health Organization (WHO), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Global Water Partnership (GWP), German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) , Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA), and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

NAP-GSP support is based on three main pillars:

1) Institutional support

2) Technical support

3) Knowledge brokering

UNDP-UNEP efforts will support LDCs in integrating medium- to long-term planning for adaptation to climate change. These NAPs will be integrated within or aligned with the current development planning and budgeting processes within each country. This will ensure that a successful NAP is not a stand-alone document, but will be integrated into existing development and poverty reduction plans. The NAP process is country-driven, continuous, participatory, progressive and iterative. The process will enable LDCs to identify, finance and implement appropriate adaptation measures, and to balance sectoral and cross-sectoral priorities, at national, sub-national and local levels. Importantly, the medium- to long-term adaptation planning underpinning the NAPs should be multi-stakeholder oriented, and based on and guided by the best available science, rigorous collection and analysis of appropriate data, and consideration of experiences and good practices within, and outside, countries.

NAP-GSP status in The Gambia:

• NAP-GSP responded to official request for support from Government.
• In July 2013, the Government of the Gambia requested support on conducting a Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional Review (CPEIR) to help inform its National Adaptation Plan process.
• UNDP has commenced supporting the Gambia to develop a CPEIR with a view to informing policy discussions on how best to integrate climate change risks into national planning and budgeting.
• The results of the CPEIR is expected to support the Gambia with national efforts related to the implementation of green, low-emission and climate-resilient development strategies (Green LECRDS), and advance the development of a successful NAP for the Gambia.
• Further support needs for the Gambia to advance its NAP are also under discussion.
• Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju - nominated focal point - will hold a teleconference to further discuss plans for NAP-GSP support.