The Adaptation Accelerator Hub

Across the globe, climate impacts are intensifying, not only through more frequent storms, floods and droughts, but also via slow-onset impacts such as rising seas, saltwater intrusion and shifting ecosystems. For countries at the frontline, adaptation is no longer just a defensive response: it must drive transformational change, reshaping economies, infrastructure and social systems to safeguard lives and livelihoods while steering development onto resilient and forward-looking pathways. 

Initially announced at the G7 Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministerial Meeting under Italy’s Presidency in 2024 and formally launched at COP29 in Baku, the Adaptation Accelerator Hub (AAH) is a global initiative to fast-track climate adaptation where it’s needed most. By aligning with the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the UAE-Belém Work Programme under the UNFCCC, the Hub supports countries in translating National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into concrete, investment-ready plans and projects that respond to the world’s most pressing adaptation priorities.   

Led by the Government of Italy with UNDP as the partner agency, the AAH supports developing countries – particularly those most vulnerable to climate change – to accelerate climate adaptation, helping translate national priorities into bankable, finance-ready initiatives that can drive systemic, long-term resilience. 

What does the Adaptation Accelerator Hub do and how is it different? 

While many countries have defined urgent adaptation priorities, accessing the right combination of technical support, institutional capacity and finance remains a key barrier to implementation. The AAH was created to help close this gap – not by adding new structures, but by aligning, integrating and scaling what already exists. The Hub operates as a strategic enabler, helping countries and partners move from planning to delivery. 

The AAH supports climate-vulnerable developing countries, to build coherent, investment-ready systems for adaptation by: 

• Strengthening national institutions and coordination mechanisms, tailored to the country’s level of maturity and sectoral priorities.
• Preparing pipelines of bankable adaptation projects, ready to attract public and private finance.
• Providing targeted technical assistance, including gap assessments, governance support, and enabling tools.
• Empowering financial and technical intermediaries (for example MDBs, regional banks, private sector, philanthropies and platforms) to act as long-term partners and agents of systemic transformation.
• Promoting inclusive, locally led approaches, with a strong focus on gender equality, social equity and knowledge integration.
• Facilitating alignment and complementarity, not duplication – coordinating across governments, donors, climate funds and implementing partners to create coherent, country-owned investment frameworks. 

What makes the AAH different is its focus on investment readiness, country-owned platforms and strategic alignment, rather than creating new parallel systems. Instead of delivering standalone projects or replacing national institutions, the Hub strengthens existing national systems, aligns partners and finance, and accelerates the move from plans to implementation. UNDP brings deep technical expertise and a global network of partners to the Hub, mobilizing knowledge, building capacity and fostering connections between national institutions and global sources of support. 

Working alongside the NAP Global Network, NDC Partnership and multilateral development banks, the AAH is helping build more coordinated and effective investment across the adaptation landscape, that also opens doors to private sector engagement. At its core, it reflects a strong commitment to global solidarity, supporting vulnerable countries to build lasting resilience in the face of a changing climate. 

Driving engagement and impact through strategic communications 

By promoting success stories and lessons learned, the Hub aims to inspire confidence, replicate best practices and catalyze further investment. At the same time, the Hub is committed to raising awareness about the urgent need for scaling investment in adaptation and the role of NAPs and NDCs in catalyzing investment readiness, closing the adaptation gap, and helping to build a broad coalition of support for resilient, climate-smart development. 

In October 2025, a webinar co-organised by Adaptation Accelerator Hub , NDC Partnership, and the Center for Access to Climate Finance focused on innovative financing solutions for climate adaptation and how they can be scaled and replicated. 

The 2026 webinar series focuses on strengthening private sector engagement in adaptation finance, exploring investment trends, key actors, persistent barriers and practical solutions to unlock private capital. The series will also examine how public finance can mobilize investment using a range of financial instruments, and highlight the role of the AAH in supporting policymakers, financial institutions, and private sector partners to drive action.

Country Progress as of April 2026 

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is advancing engagement with the Adaptation Accelerator Hub amid ongoing macroeconomic reforms and preparations to host COP32 in 2027. Building on its strong policy framework, AAH support is expected to focus on strengthening institutional coordination, developing a pipeline of bankable adaptation investments, and enhancing access to blended and private finance. Efforts will align with national priorities to accelerate implementation and unlock scalable, system-level resilience outcomes.

Senegal

Engagement with Senegal under the AAH is currently being discussed in partnership with France.  While the scope is yet to be formalized, initial exchanges indicate a focus on strengthening the link between national adaptation priorities and financing strategies.  Proposed areas of support include investment prioritization in coastal resilience and infrastructure, strengthening MEL systems for NAP/NDC implementation, and enhancing coordination across public finance, donors, and emerging adaptation investment pipelines.

Mauritius

AAH support in Mauritius is being delivered in partnership with the United Kingdom, focusing on strengthening institutional coordination and advancing adaptation investment planning.  Building on existing efforts, including the Climate Finance Unit within the Ministry of Finance, support will target the development of an adaptation investment pipeline, operationalization of the green taxonomy, and identification of financing strategies.  The AAH will also support private sector engagement, including in renewable energy solutions and MSMEs, to help mobilize finance at scale.

Maldives

AAH support in the Maldives is being advanced in partnership with the European Union, focusing on translating national adaptation priorities into finance-ready investments.  Building on existing frameworks and UNDP programmes, support will target prioritization and costing of adaptation actions, development of an investment pipeline, and identification of financing strategies.  The AAH will also strengthen institutional coordination to support a coherent country platform for adaptation finance.

Cambodia

Engagement with Cambodia under the AAH is being advanced in collaboration with Japan, with activities expected to commence by May 2026.  Support will focus on complementing ongoing efforts on climate-informed early warning systems, particularly in agriculture.  AAH technical assistance will help strengthen the investment case for EWS, identify opportunities for private sector engagement and technology deployment, and develop targeted investment concepts and financing pathways aligned with national adaptation priorities.