NEWMAP-EIB Briefing

Nigeria Climate Adaptation, Erosion and Watershed Project

Strategic Networking Guide for SB62 Pre-COP Meeting

Bonn, Germany | June 16-26, 2025

This guide is designed to help you, as the State Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Climate Adaptation, Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), maximize your impact and build strategic connections during the SB62 Pre-COP meeting in Bonn.

Key Organizations to Connect With

1. Climate Finance Institutions

Green Climate Fund (GCF)

  • Why Important: Largest dedicated climate fund with USD 7.3 billion invested in adaptation; allocates at least half of adaptation investments to most climate-vulnerable countries
  • Key Contact Points:
    • GCF Secretariat representatives at the Africa Pavilion
    • Country Programming Division staff (focus on Nigeria/West Africa)
    • Adaptation Portfolio Managers
  • Strategic Approach: Highlight NEWMAP-EIB's alignment with GCF investment criteria, particularly impact potential, paradigm shift potential, and sustainable development

Adaptation Fund (AF)

  • Why Important: Specifically focused on concrete adaptation projects; has committed over USD 1.2 billion for climate adaptation since 2010
  • Key Contact Points:
    • AF Secretariat representatives
    • Direct Access Entity liaison officers
    • Technical review committee members
  • Strategic Approach: Emphasize NEWMAP-EIB's community engagement approach and concrete adaptation outcomes in erosion control

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

  • Why Important: Manages the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)
  • Key Contact Points:
    • GEF Secretariat representatives
    • Africa Regional Coordinators
  • Strategic Approach: Discuss potential for scaling up NEWMAP-EIB approaches to other watersheds in Nigeria

2. UNFCCC Bodies and Leadership

Adaptation Committee

  • Why Important: Global voice on adaptation within UNFCCC structure
  • Key Contact Points:
    • Committee members, particularly those from African countries
    • Technical support staff
  • Strategic Approach: Share NEWMAP-EIB experiences as a case study for effective adaptation implementation

SBSTA Leadership

  • Why Important: Shapes technical discussions on adaptation methodologies and approaches
  • Key Contact Points:
    • SBSTA Chair (currently Harry Vreuls, Netherlands)
    • Adaptation focal points within SBSTA
  • Strategic Approach: Position yourself as a technical expert on watershed management and erosion control

SBI Leadership

  • Why Important: Oversees implementation aspects of adaptation commitments
  • Key Contact Points:
    • SBI Chair (currently Nabeel Munir, Pakistan)
    • National Adaptation Plans (NAP) coordinators
  • Strategic Approach: Highlight Nigeria's progress in implementing adaptation measures through NEWMAP-EIB

3. Regional Groups and Alliances

African Group of Negotiators (AGN)

  • Why Important: Coordinates Africa's positions in climate negotiations
  • Key Contact Points:
    • AGN Chair (currently Richard Muyungi)
    • Lead Coordinator for Global Goal on Adaptation (Kulthoum Mutsumi)
    • Nigeria's representatives in the AGN
  • Strategic Approach: Align your interventions with broader African adaptation priorities

Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group

  • Why Important: Strong voice on adaptation needs and finance
  • Key Contact Points:
    • LDC Chair
    • Adaptation coordinators
  • Strategic Approach: Identify common interests in watershed management and erosion control

African Adaptation Initiative (AAI)

  • Why Important: Continental initiative to enhance adaptation action in Africa
  • Key Contact Points:
    • AAI Secretariat representatives
    • Technical committee members
  • Strategic Approach: Explore opportunities for knowledge sharing and scaling up successful approaches

Strategic Positioning in Key Thematic Areas

1. Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)

Key Messages to Emphasize:

  • NEWMAP-EIB as a practical implementation of GGA principles
  • Ecosystem-based adaptation through watershed management
  • Community-driven adaptation approaches
  • Measurable adaptation outcomes in erosion reduction

Strategic Questions to Ask:

  • How will the GGA framework incorporate metrics for erosion control and watershed management?
  • What support mechanisms are being developed for scaling up successful adaptation projects?
  • How can Nigeria's experience inform the development of adaptation indicators?

2. Climate Finance

Key Messages to Emphasize:

  • NEWMAP-EIB as a successful model for international climate finance (EUR 175 million from EIB)
  • Need for simplified access to adaptation finance for watershed management
  • Importance of long-term, programmatic funding for erosion control

Strategic Questions to Ask:

  • How will the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) ensure adequate funding for erosion control and watershed management?
  • What mechanisms are being developed to streamline access to adaptation finance?
  • How can successful projects like NEWMAP-EIB be scaled up with additional finance?

3. Technology Transfer and Capacity Building

Key Messages to Emphasize:

  • NEWMAP-EIB's approach to building local technical capacity
  • Need for enhanced technology transfer in watershed monitoring
  • Importance of South-South cooperation on erosion control techniques

Strategic Questions to Ask:

  • What technology support mechanisms are available for watershed management projects?
  • How can successful capacity building approaches be replicated in other regions?
  • What platforms exist for sharing technical knowledge on erosion control?

Networking Strategies for Maximum Impact

1. Formal Session Participation

  • Identify Priority Sessions: Focus on adaptation, finance, and technology transfer sessions
  • Prepare Concise Interventions: Develop 1-2 minute statements highlighting NEWMAP-EIB experiences
  • Ask Strategic Questions: Use the questions above to position yourself as a thoughtful contributor
  • Follow Up: Exchange contact information with session chairs and key speakers

2. Side Events and Exhibits

  • Prioritize Events: Focus on adaptation finance, watershed management, and African adaptation
  • Prepare Your Elevator Pitch: 30-second introduction of yourself and NEWMAP-EIB
  • Ask Questions During Q&A: Position yourself as knowledgeable by asking insightful questions
  • Network During Breaks: Approach speakers immediately after their presentations

3. Informal Networking Opportunities

  • Country Pavilions: Visit the Africa Pavilion and other relevant country spaces
  • Thematic Receptions: Attend adaptation and finance-focused receptions
  • Morning Briefings: Join the African Group morning coordination meetings
  • Corridor Conversations: Some of the most valuable connections happen between sessions

Daily Networking Priorities

Days 1-2: Orientation and Initial Connections

  • Attend opening plenaries
  • Connect with Nigerian delegation members
  • Identify key adaptation sessions in the agenda
  • Visit the Africa Pavilion to establish a base

Days 3-5: Technical Engagement

  • Participate actively in adaptation-focused technical sessions
  • Attend side events on watershed management and erosion control
  • Schedule meetings with climate finance representatives
  • Connect with SBSTA/SBI technical officers

Days 6-8: Strategic Partnerships

  • Meet with potential funding partners
  • Engage with technical cooperation agencies
  • Participate in African Group strategy sessions
  • Attend networking receptions

Days 9-10: Consolidation and Follow-up

  • Attend closing sessions
  • Solidify key relationships with follow-up meetings
  • Exchange contact information with strategic connections
  • Identify concrete next steps for collaboration

Key Contacts Database

Climate Finance Institutions

  1. Green Climate Fund

    • Africa Division: [Contact details to be added during the meeting]
    • Adaptation Portfolio: [Contact details to be added during the meeting]

  2. Adaptation Fund

    • Direct Access Team: [Contact details to be added during the meeting]
    • Technical Review Committee: [Contact details to be added during the meeting]

UNFCCC Leadership

  1. SBSTA Chair: Harry Vreuls (Netherlands)
  2. SBI Chair: Nabeel Munir (Pakistan)
  3. Adaptation Committee: [Key members to be identified during the meeting]

African Representatives

  1. AGN Chair: Richard Muyungi
  2. AGN Lead Coordinator for GGA: Kulthoum Mutsumi
  3. Nigeria's UNFCCC Focal Point: [To be confirmed at the meeting]

Preparation Checklist

  • [ ] Review this networking guide daily
  • [ ] Update contact database throughout the meeting
  • [ ] Prepare business cards with NEWMAP-EIB information
  • [ ] Develop a one-page NEWMAP-EIB information sheet
  • [ ] Practice your elevator pitch for different audiences
  • [ ] Review daily agenda each morning to identify networking priorities
  • [ ] Schedule time for follow-up emails each evening
  • [ ] Prepare questions tailored to each priority organization

Post-Meeting Follow-Up Strategy

  1. Immediate Follow-Up (Within 48 hours of meeting)

    • Send personalized thank you emails with specific references to your conversation
    • Connect on professional networks where appropriate
    • Share any promised information or documents

  2. Medium-Term Engagement (2-4 weeks after meeting)

    • Share relevant NEWMAP-EIB updates or successes
    • Propose specific areas for collaboration
    • Invite to relevant events or webinars

  3. Long-Term Relationship Building (Ongoing)

    • Maintain regular communication with key contacts
    • Share NEWMAP-EIB progress reports and case studies
    • Explore formal partnership opportunities

This strategic networking guide is designed to be a living document. Update it throughout the meeting with new contacts, insights, and opportunities to maximize the impact of your participation at the SB62 Pre-COP meeting.