Government representatives from across Africa gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 5–7, 2026, for a peer learning forum focused on strengthening the links between National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes and peacebuilding. Co-hosted by the Government of Nigeria and the NAP Global Network, the event shone a light on the unique challenges of advancing adaptation planning in contexts defined by violence and instability. Participants from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan came to Nigeria’s capital to share and discuss the challenges they face, the opportunities they see, and the lessons they are learning in trying to address the climate crisis in the context of fragility or conflict. A complicated picture emerged from the discussions, in which countries
- acknowledge the ways in which climate change drives instability and conflict within their borders, and the role that conflict plays in increasing vulnerabilities to climate change;
- have advanced their NAP processes, but now face the daunting challenge of implementation, impeded by funding constraints, the continued presence of non-state armed groups, the difficulties of advocating for adaptation investments and actions in conflict and post-conflict contexts, and insufficient levels of climate data and information, among others; and
- continue to struggle with how to reduce the related climate and conflict vulnerabilities of key groups, particularly youth and displaced persons.
Read our joint press release and related media coverage from This Day, EnviroNews, Business Day and Kaftan Tv, among other media outlets, with quotes from Dr. Salihu Aminu Usman, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment in Nigeria, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, director of the Department of Climate Change, and Alec Crawford, director of Nature for Resilience at the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Scroll down to find the presentations, relevant resources and other multimedia assets.
Photo Gallery
Day 1 | May 5
Introduction to the NAP Global Network – NAP GN
Introduction au processus de PNA et au réseau mondial de PNA
Peace, Conflict and NAP Processes – NAP GN
Paix, conflits et processus de planification nationale de l’adaptation
Day 2 | May 6
Climate change as a driver of conflict – NAP GN
Les changements climatiques en tant que facteurs de conflit
Comment le changement climatique influe-t-il sur les conflits ? – République centrafricaine (Fr.)
Conflict as a driver for climate vulnerability – NAP GN
Les conflits comme facteurs de vulnérabilité climatique
Conflict as a driver for climate vulnerability and peace as a supporter for climate resilience – Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (Eng.)
Day 3 | May 7
Adaptation-Peacebuilding Cooperation in Practice – NAP GN
Coopération en matière d’adaptation et de consolidation de la paix dans la pratique
Related Resources
- ARTICLE | Climate Adaptation and Peacebuilding Keep Missing Each Other
- GUIDANCE NOTE | Peace, Conflict, and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Processes
- VIDEO | Peacebuilding in Climate Change Adaptation
- WEBINAR | Peace, Conflict and NAP Processes Webinar | NAP Global Network
- REPORT | Integrating Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding into Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan Process – NAP Global Network