African experts debate climate adaptation metrics in Accra

At the African Technical Workshop on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) Indicators in Accra, experts and negotiators gathered to evaluate how climate adaptation progress is measured. The three-day workshop, held from October 22 to 24, 2026, focused on testing whether global adaptation indicators align with national priorities and identifying gaps in existing data systems.

Dr. Richard Munang, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), emphasized that success should be measured by human impact rather than financial expenditure. He stated, “Adaptation is not what we spend. Adaptation is who we protect,” arguing that metrics must reflect the protection of lives, household incomes, and community stability against climate-driven threats like flooding and crop failure.

The workshop comes as nations begin implementing the 59 Belém Adaptation Indicators adopted under the Global Goal on Adaptation process. For African nations, the priority is ensuring these frameworks capture meaningful results for vulnerable populations.