10 August 2017: The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Expert Group (LEG) met to review the implementation of its 2017-2018 work programme, which advances national adaptation planning in LDCs. The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) published an op-ed by Robert Glasser, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), identifying climate change as a key driver of disasters.

The LEG convened for its 32nd meeting in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from 7-10 August 2017. At the meeting, the LEG reviewed the implementation of its work programme for 2017-2018. The LEG 2017-2018 work programme provides for, inter alia: advancing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) through technical guidance and support; enhancing LDCs’ access to Green Climate Fund (GCF) funding for NAPs; providing technical guidance and support for national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) and the LDC work programme; and providing technical guidance and advice on regional approaches to adaptation planning.

The LEG also held discussions with the GCF, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the NAP Global Network, among others, on collaboration on relevant activities. [IISD Sources] [Adaptation Workshops and Meetings Webpage]

In his op-ed, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for DRR Robert Glasser calls for promotion of the collection, analysis, management, use and dissemination of data on disaster risk.

Robert Glasser’s article outlines the results of a research paper titled, ‘Increasing risk over time of weather-related hazards to the European population: a data-driven prognostic study,’ and calls for promotion of the collection, analysis, management, use and dissemination of data on disaster risk. [Climate Change is Key Driver of Disasters] [Increasing Risk over Time of Weather-related Hazards to the European Population: a Data-driven Prognostic Study]