Teresa Ribera, elected negotiating facilitator at COP26 to advance the agenda on adaptation to climate change impacts

On the same day that COP26 celebrates Adaptation, Loss and Damage Day, Ribera has been chosen by the COP26 Presidency to facilitate the adaptation negotiation, a task she will carry out alongside the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Technology of the Republic of Maldives, Shauna Aminath.

"The growing impacts of climate change around the world have highlighted the need to reinforce the adaptive capacities and strengthen the resilience of all countries, but especially the most vulnerable," said Vice-President Ribera after learning of her election.

Adaptation is at the centre of the political discussion at COP26. "There is a clear recognition that it is urgent to work on adaptation," the vice-president stressed, especially after the report by the United Nations Environment Programme, which has once again highlighted the existing gap in this area.

Spain, a pioneer in adaptation

Spain was a pioneer in Europe in having a National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The first NCCAP, adopted in 2006, was the second national adaptation planning document after Finland's Adaptation Strategy (2005). The second NCCAP (2021-2030) is a basic planning instrument and aims to improve our capacity to anticipate and identify the best directions for different sectors in order to build a strong economy and an inclusive society.

Teresa Ribera returned to COP26 yesterday, after having attended the Leaders' Summit a week ago to open the Climate Summit, which has entered its decisive week.

Non official translation