OSS provides its members and partners with technical and institutional support to develop project applications to contend with the impacts of climate change and contribute to countries' adaptation and mitigation efforts. OSS plays the role of intermediary (regional implementing agency) between the climate funds and its members and partners. It is in this context that OSS was accredited as an implementing entity by the Adaptation Fund in 2013 and by the Green Climate Fund-GCF in October 2017. OSS now acts as a supervisor of the implementation of projects and programs on the adaptation and/or mitigation of the impacts of climate change, including technical assistance to other countries wishing to implement a preparation program.
In this framework, OSS participated, on invitation of the Green Climate Fund, in the 6th edition of the "National Adaptation Plans" Expo, held in South Korea, at the World Adaptation Week on "Raising its adaptation ambitions by advancing National Adaptation Plans" organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The NAP Expo, focusing on national adaptation plans (NAPs) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, featured a range of tools and applications to help countries improve their national strategies to combat present and prevent future climate impacts. It brought together over 300 experts and representatives of national and regional government authorities, GCF, OSS, UN and other international organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, regional organizations and centers, the private sector and the academic community, and aimed at promoting the exchange of experiences and fostering partnerships in adaptation by advancing the development and implementation of NAPs. .
Four new NAPs were presented by Ethiopia, Togo, Honduras and Burkina Faso. This raised the total number of published national adaptations plans to thirteen.
Also, the NAP Expo for the first time launched practical engagement of youth in climate change adaptation by launching the Global Youth Adaptation Dialogue, to open a conversation by youth that considers the future of adaptation through NAPs.