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Remarks delivered by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, on the launch of the National Adaptation Plans Progress Report, released on Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Every year, the impacts of climate change grow more intense, and more uneven. In August I went back to Carriacou, my home island which was brutalised by Hurricane Beryl last year. It was sobering.
Although the spirit of the people is incredibly strong, many continue to struggle to rebuild their lives.
Lives and livelihoods are being destroyed in every region of the world, and especially in the most vulnerable countries. Adaptation is not optional; it is absolutely essential.
It means protecting communities from worsening floods, droughts, wildfires and storms. It also means protecting economies.
Global supply chains, food systems, vital health care facilities and energy security all depend on climate resilience.
But adaptation is about far more than protecting human lives and economies.
It’s about empowerment: enabling communities and countries to thrive despite a changing climate.
National Adaptation Plans are key to unleashing the epic transformative power of investing in climate resilience.
They are the blueprints for stronger economies, more resilient societies, and faster progress right across the SDGs.
So, what are the key takeouts from this report? I’m an optimist so I’ll start with the good news. This new NAP (progress) report shows that real progress is being made.
It shows the direction of travel is clear. The analytical frameworks are increasingly in place. In many respects, this is the hardest part.
Around the world, governments are building the foundations for more climate-resilient economies and societies.
Almost all developing countries are working on their adaptation plans. Sixty-seven have submitted plans to the UNFCCC – including 23 from the Least Developed Countries and 14 Small Island Developing States. That adds up to a big collective commitment, despite very limited capacity and resources.
Adaptation is increasingly being integrated into national development plans.
Countries are putting in place coordination mechanisms, financing strategies, and monitoring systems.
They are deepening their efforts in every key sector – for example in agriculture and health – with specialized plans.
And crucially, adaptation plans are showing a whole-of-society approach – engaging more women, young people, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and the private sector in planning and implementation.
But there are also several worrying aspects of this report. It points to some persistent barriers that are holding back progress at the speed and scale that we need.
No prizes for guessing the number one constraint. Many countries still lack access to the funding that’s needed. Too often, they face complex approval processes, fragmented support, and overdependence on external expertise.
It’s clear from this report that the systems are increasingly ready, but the finance must flow right now.
So, this report could easily be sub-titled: “No more excuses, investors!”.
Because investors and financial institutions can no longer say they don’t know where or how to invest in adaptation. These plans clarify – country by country, sector by sector – what the priorities are, what the needs are, and what opportunities exist.
The task is to match those priorities, needs and opportunities with more quantity, but also better-quality finance. That means long-term, predictable, and equitable support that empowers countries to take the lead.
More broadly, where does this report leave us? What’s the bottom line?
So let me boil it right down. Before this report, we faced two climate adaptation challenges – direction and speed. Now it’s largely just one: the direction is right – but we have a serious need for speed.
So, we must pick up the pace. Which brings us to COP30, where nations must respond.
Adaptation will be a central issue. Parties are expected to agree on adaptation indicators, and work to close the adaptation finance gap.
The roadmap to mobilise $1.3 trillion in climate finance will clearly be key at COP30.
Let’s be very clear: climate finance is not charity. It is vital for protecting every population and economy, and the global supply chains that every nation depends on for low-inflationary growth, and food and energy security.
On adaptation issues, but also more broadly, COP30 will be a key test of global solidarity. So, it must do three things:
It must show nations are fully on board for climate cooperation because it works, with stronger outcomes in all key issues.
It must spur faster and wider implementation, leaving no one behind.
And it must connect climate action to real lives everywhere, to spread the vast benefits.
Meeting that test is how we turn plans into protection, prosperity and progress.
