Regional Webinar: Strengthening the Implementation of Early Warning Systems through the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and the adaptation components in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Climate change is accelerating the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of extreme weather and climate-related hazards. Recent findings from the State of the Climate Report confirmed that 2024 was among Africa’s hottest years on record. Climate extremes are severely affecting every aspect of socio-economic development across the continent, exacerbating food insecurity, displacement and instability.
In this context, Early Warning Systems (EWS) have become an urgent necessity, not only as technical tools, but as lifesaving climate adaptation measures. Evidence shows that the timely issuance of early warnings can reduce damages by up to 30%, helping to protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, particularly in the most vulnerable communities. Despite their proven positive impacts, more than half of the world’s countries still lack access to Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). This gap is most pronounced in developing countries – including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where disasters have increased fivefold over the past 50 years. While many countries have made progress in preparing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), there is a pressing need to move from planning to implementation, particularly in operationalizing effective and inclusive EWS.
The integration of MHEWS into NAPs and in the NDCs as part of the adaptation components is a crucial step to bridge this gap. More importantly, the establishment and strengthening of MHEWS, as outlined in countries' NAPs and NDCs, support the protection of human lives and the sustainability of infrastructure.
Launched at COP27, the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aims to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027. For African countries, particularly SIDS and LDCs, where resource and capacity constraints persist, the challenge is not only integrating EWS into national climate strategies but also accelerating their deployment, scaling proven systems, and ensuring sustainability of operations and local relevance.
This webinar will focus on how governments, technical agencies, and partners in Africa can leverage NAPs and NDCs as vehicles for delivering EW4All commitments.