31 December 2014: The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has met representatives of the Malawi Government in Geneva to provide a briefing on the NAP-GSP. NAP-GSP partner UNITAR met Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Management (MoECCM). Several issues were discussed, including progress on the NAP in Malawi, existing coordination between the Malawi government and NAP-GSP, and potential areass of support that can be requested from the NAP-GSP.
Meeting at COP19
The NAP-GSP team held a meeting with the delegation from the Government of Malawi during COP19 on 14 November 2013. The discussions covered the formation of a 'system' for coordination and execution of the NAP roadmap. The Government of Malawi representatives expressed that there are climatic information gaps that need to be addressed as well as capacity-building requirements, so that key people in Government can use and update this data for mainstreaming adaptation into national and sectoral planning. In addition, NAP-GSP invited Dr. Aloysius Kamperewera, Secretary, MoECCM, to speak at a side event at COP19 (organized by the GEF and GIZ) on the NAP progress of Malawi and the support requested from the NAP-GSP.
NAP roadmap
Earlier discussions led by UNITAR in Lilongwe in September 2013 revealed that the Government of Malawi, under its National Climate Change Programme, is working on developing a 'roadmap' to guide the process in Malawi for the formulation of a NAP. Terms of Reference (TOR) have been prepared with the support of UNDP in Malawi. The NAP-related efforts in Malawi are under the leadership of the MoECCM, with external expertise being sourced to work alongside strong local capacity in Malawi to formulate the NAP roadmap. The support is expected to contribute towards conducting a scoping exercise, which will map existing and ongoing climate change adaptation activities against the four key elements of the NAP process, as articulated by the UNFCCC.
MoECCM has identified several requirements for support from NAP-GSP including provision of independent advice to the Climate Change Steering Group on the process and institutional arrangements for a NAP for Malawi. The Ministry has also requested technical support for the NAP scoping exercise. In addition, the MoECCM is seeking advice and best practice inputs to encourage participation and inclusiveness in the design of Malawi's NAP.
NAP-GSP plans to mobilize a one- or two-week, country-specific mission to conduct an in-depth assessment of institutional and financial needs and provide recommendations for a work plan to complete a NAP. This work plan could also be accompanied by a proposal for funding. A TOR for this initial mission to take place in early 2014 will be developed by the NAP-GSP as immediate next step.
