Originally published in French on UNDP Burundi here.
In Burundi, the adverse effects of climate change, such as torrential rains, droughts, floods, epidemics, landslides, and strong winds, are increasingly disrupting the daily lives of communities. To address these challenges, the country has undertaken the development of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a strategic tool for building sustainable resilience.
To support the effective development of the NAP, the process is structured around four strategic objectives: strengthening governance and institutional coordination for adaptation planning; disseminating and leveraging existing data to improve decision-making for high-impact adaptation solutions; mobilizing the private sector in support of adaptation; and increasing funding dedicated to these actions.
The process of developing the National Adaptation Plan in Burundi reflects a progressive move toward more climate-resilient development. This progress is driven by strong stakeholder engagement, including the Ministry of the Environment, which led the initiative; the Ministry of Finance, which integrated adaptation into national, sectoral, and local planning and budgeting; and the Geographic Institute of Burundi, which produced reliable climate data. The process is also distinguished by an inclusive approach, actively involving the private sector, youth, women, and groups with specific needs to ensure that adaptation priorities reflect the needs and actions of all communities.
Stakeholders involved in the development of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) met to review the preliminary findings of an ongoing study analyzing individual and institutional capacities for climate change adaptation. These discussions helped deepen understanding of the challenges, identify capacity-building priorities, and lay the groundwork for a stronger adaptation framework driven by stakeholders who are better prepared and equipped to address the impacts of climate change.
The final results of the capacity analysis will be used to develop a national short-, medium-, and long-term capacity-building plan for stakeholders involved in both the development and future implementation of the NAP.