Presentation by: Ibila Djibril 3.3 Governance and coordination The session will discuss how countries can maintain national leadership and coordination of adaptation efforts at all levels and to act as the main interface with regional and international mechanisms. It will introduce key considerations for the creation and/or enhancement of mandate for the process to formulate and implement NAPs at the national level, and further look at the experiences from countries.

1. Benin’s experience on Governance and
coordination in the context of the formulation
and implementation of national adaptation plan
(NAP)
NAP EXPO, Bonn, 13th July 2016
By Ibila DJIBRIL, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF
CLIMATE CHANGE
idjibril@yahoo.fr

2. Overview presentation
 Introduction
I. NAP process launching
II. Process, methods and tools
III. Challenges, lessons learned and best
pratices
 Conclusion

3. Introduction
Benin is a Least Developed Country located in West
Africa with 112 622 sq Km with a population estimed
at 10 millions in 2012
It has ratified the UNFCCC on 30 June 1994 and the
Kyoto Protocol on 25 February 2002
It has elaborated many documents on climate such as
its initial and Second National Communications in
2001 and 2011, NAPA in 2007 and recently its low
greenhouse gaz emission strategy development and
resilient to climate change (February 2016)
The Ministry of Environment is the Government’s
Focal Point on climate change and coordinates climate
change activities.

5. NAP process launching
 In August 2013, The Ministry of Environment
initiated consultations with various stakeholders
at the national level which aimed at exploring
ways to establish a process to enable
comprehensive medium- and long-term
adaptation process at the national level.
 These consultations started by the National
Committee on Climate Change (NCCC)
established by decree since 2003 comprising the
representatives of each sectoral ministry, of NGC
and private sector, followed by the Thematic
Group on Environment ad Climate Change and
lawyers and several national experts.

6. Outcomes of these consultations
 Launching of the process in Benin was endorsed by the policy
makers;
 Awareness and sensitization on the process to formulate and
implement NAPs among the different stakeholders was achieved;
 The NAP technical guidelines and their application for the
formulation and implementation of a NAP were understood;
 An over view on Benin vulnerability was presented;
 Stocktaking on Benin adaptation actions was conducted;
 Benin technical and financial needs to formulate NAP were
estimated;
 The technical and financial partners of Benin were informed of the
process and accepted to contribute in formulation and
implementation of the NAP;
 A clear mandate and institutional arrangements were
proposed to therefore approval by the Government;
 Primary stakeholders for the formulation of NAP were identified;
 A draft road map was developed.

7. Process, methods and tools
Benin’s strategy to elaborate its NAP is based
fundamentaly on large consultation of the
stakeholders (Government, private sector, NGO,
Universities, institutes and centres of research,
mass media, civil society, etc.) in order to benefit
from their experiences, knowledge, advise,
contributions and inputs throught out the entire
process.
The leader of this process is the Ministry in
charge of environment through is technical
directions and the National Committee on
Climate Change (NCCC) by initiating, launching
the process and taking appropriated measures to
conduct the process of NAP.

8. Process, methods and tools
 After the stakeholders support to this process, the Ministry of
environment obtained the approval of the Government to lead
and to conduct the process
 The project of decree is validated by the National Committee
on Climate Change and submitted to the Government
 Its established the Benin National Commission on NAP which
is the formal body to develop and implement NAP.
 This body comprises at national level:
1. The Steering Committe, the decisional instrument composed
by the key minister as Finance, Planning, Environment, etc.
2. The Scientific and Technical Committee, composed by experts
and scientists for different studies (climate scenarios, impacts
and vulnerabilities, adaptation options, etc.
3. Coordination Committee, for operational and daily activities.

9. Process, methods and tools
 At Departmental level, there is a Departmental
Commission on NAP and Municipal level the Municipal
Commission on NAP.
 The adoption of this project of decree is awaited from
the Government.
 The Benin National Commission on NAP will be
supported by the The Commission for Economic
Modelling Impacts and Integration of Climate Change in
the General State Budget set up by decree.
 General Direction of Climate Change with three
technical directions : Mitigation, adaptation and Policies
and strategies.
 National Programme of Climate Change Management
with annual budget from National Budget.
 National Fund for Environment and Climate (FNEC),
accredited by Adaptation Fund.

10. Challenges encountered, lessons learned and best
practices
 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED
1. Frequent shift of Ministers of Environment
2. Delay on adoption of the project of decree establishing
the mandate and institutional arrangement of NAP
process by the Government
3. Few technical expertise.
 LESSONS LEARNED
1. A sound, clear and approved mandate and institutional
arrangement is an key factor to ensure the
permanence and continuity of the NAP process
regardless the schift of Ministers or Governments
2. The participative and inclusive approach is essential to
benefit from the support of diffent stakeholders
3. The effective support of Technical and Financial
partners.

11. Challenges encountered, lessons learned and best
practices
 Best practices
1. The political will and engagement
2. The recognition of an institution to be a
lead and responsible of the NAP process
(Ministry of Environment in Benin case)
since 1992
3. The existence of champions (National
Committee on Climate Change since 2003)
4. The stability of the national UNFCCC Focal
Point.

12. Conclusion
 A sound and stable institutional arrangement is
essential to formulate and implement a NAP
process
 Its ensures stakeholders particulary the technical
and financial partners to provide their support
 The NAP process well conducted and managed
constitutes and important opportunity and
mecanism to effectively integrate climate change
not only into national governance, policies,
programmes and projects but also into local
governance and programmes and projects.

13. THANKYOU FORYOUR KIND
ATTENTION