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

The second meeting of the adaptation committee was held from 5 to 8 March 2013. The Committee elaborated next steps in the implementation of its three-year work plan (142 kB) agreed in Doha. 

The inaugural meeting of the Adaptation Committee was held in September 2012, where it elected its Chair and Vice-Chair and agreed, inter alia, on its three-year work plan which was approved by Parties at COP 18. More information on the Committee's work is contained in the first report of the Adaptation Committee.

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

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

A full set of rules of procedure, drawing upon the provisions decided by COP 17, was approved at COP 18.  Revised rules of procedures (246 kB)  were agreed by the Committee at its second meeting in March 2013.

COP 17 decided 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

 Parties also agreed on the following provisions for the Adaptation Committee:

• The Committee is 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
  
• It is requested to 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
  
• 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