A dialogue titled ‘Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on Adaptation Gap Report 2023’ was organised on November 20, 2023, by Concern Worldwide, Action Contre LA Faim (ACF), ICCCAD (Knowledge partner), and YouthNet for Climate Justice. This was a Pre-COP28 event where speakers pointed out the key insights of the Adaptation Gap Report 2023.

Dr. Samiya A. Selim, Adviser, Climate Change Programme of the SAJIDA Foundation was one of the speakers at the dialogue. Dr. Selim addressed the gaps in financing adaptation.

“We need to have more knowledge mobilisation and create the evidence base to show best cases for adaptation and what gaps still remain. The need to include women, children, indigenous communities and other disadvantaged groups in the dialogue and design of adaptation measures are necessary. Lastly the planning for adaptation is strong in paper but implementation and monitoring needs to be strengthened,” she stressed.

Speakers pointed out other key insights from the dialogue, which are, as follows:

• Approximately 70% of climate finance directed towards LDCs is in the form of loans rather than grants. This trend is discouraging private sector interest due to the public grant nature.
• Around 53% of these funds prioritize mitigation in Official Development Assistance (ODA), side-lining adaptation efforts.
• The skewed allocation results in a mere 7-8% of Climate Finance reaching adaptation projects.
• The failure to sufficiently fund adaptation can be attributed to developed nations' obligatory responsibilities outlined with 'shall' language.
• Despite disparities in pledged percentages, innovative financial mechanisms beyond traditional funding are necessary, as relying solely on public finance remains inadequate due to its reliance on political commitments.

Speakers at the event stressed on the role of youth and their leadership in driving climate action. They agreed that the youth will play a crucial role in the shaping of climate adaptation strategies followed by their implementation.

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) is scheduled to run from November 30, 2023 till December 12, 2023 at Expo City in Dubai.

At COP28, SAJIDA Foundation will be sharing their research findings from climate affected communities in Bangladesh, impact from their interventions and relevant knowledge on Locally Led Adaptation, Nature-based Solution, Non-economic losses and damage (mainly climate-induced mental health issues), Climate resilience and Climate Financing.