As part of the Cancun Adaptation Framework, Parties established the Adaptation Committee to promote the implementation of enhanced action on adaptation in a coherent manner under the Convention, inter alia, through the following functions:  

1. Providing technical support and guidance to the Parties 
2. Sharing of relevant information, knowledge, experience and good practices 
3. Promoting synergy and strengthening engagement with national, regional and international organizations, centres and networks
4. Providing information and recommendations, drawing on adaptation good practices, for consideration by the COP when providing guidance on means to incentivize the implementation of adaptation actions, including finance, technology and capacity-building 
5. Considering information communicated by Parties on their monitoring and review of adaptation actions, support provided and received

At the Durban Climate Change Conference in November/ December 2011, Parties agreed on the composition of, and modalities and procedures for, the Adaptation Committee. In addition they defined linkages with other institutions under and outside the Convention and agreed on an indicative list of activities for the Committee to consider when developing its workplan.

16 members, who shall serve in their personal capacity, as follows:

• 2 members from each of the 5 United Nations regional groups
• 1 member from a small island developing State
• 1 member from a least developed country Party
• 2 members from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention
• 2 members from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention

In making their nominations, regional groups are urged to consider the special needs and concerns of particularly vulnerable developing countries. Parties are further encouraged to nominate experts to the Adaptation Committee with a diversity of experience and knowledge relevant to adaptation to climate change, while also taking into account the need to achieve gender balance.

Parties agreed that the Adaptation Committee should make use of the following modalities in exercising its functions:

• Workshops and meetings
• Expert groups
• Compilation, review, synthesis, analysis reports of information, knowledge,
  experience and good practice
• Channels for sharing information, knowledge and expertise
• Coordination and linkages with all relevant bodies, programmes, institutions and networks, within and outside the Convention

The Adaptation Committee is requested to:

• Report annually to the COP, through the subsidiary bodies, including on its activities, performance of its functions, guidance, recommendations and other relevant information arising from its work, and, as appropriate, on further action that may be required under the Convention, for consideration by the COP
• Develop a three-year plan for its work, which should include milestones, activities, deliverables and resource requirements, in accordance with its agreed functions, for approval by COP 18

Parties decided that:

• The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, where possible in conjunction with other adaptation-related UNFCCC meetings, while retaining its flexibility to adjust its number of meetings to suit its needs
• Meetings shall be open to attendance by accredited observer organizations, except where otherwise decided by the Adaptation Committee, with a view to encouraging a balanced representation of observers from Annex I Parties and from non-Annex I Parties

The Adaptation Committee is requested to:

• Engage and develop linkages with all adaptation-related work programmes, bodies and institutions under the Convention, including the LEG, the CGE, the TEC, the Nairobi work programme, the work programme on loss and damage and the operating entities of the financial mechanism
• Engage with, and draw on the expertise of, relevant institutions, organizations, frameworks, networks and centres outside of the Convention, including those at the intergovernmental, regional, national and, through them, subnational levels