Background

The effective implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is fundamental to translating climate pledges into tangible action and measurable progress. Successful NDC implementation demonstrates a country's commitment to achieving its climate goals, fosters credibility within the international community, and provides critical insights for the development of future NDCs. Further, it can contribute to national social and economic development while offering opportunities to catalyse the transformation of key sectors, stimulate innovation in clean technologies, and facilitate the mobilization of climate finance by sending clear signals to investors, thereby creating a positive feedback loop that supports increasingly ambitious climate action. African countries are facing increasing climate-related challenges that threaten their economic stability, food security, and sustainable development. To address these risks, effective climate investment planning and finance mobilization are essential for scaling up adaptation and mitigation efforts. However, many countries struggle with limited access to finance, fragmented institutional coordination, and inadequate integration of climate priorities into national development plans. Strengthening investment planning capacities will enable governments to prioritize climate actions, align investments with national strategies, and leverage diverse financing sources, including public, private, and international funds. In response to the challenges African countries face in mobilizing climate investments—and building on the outcomes of the 2024 NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora, the UNFCCC secretariat and its RCCs, UNEP, UNDP, NDCP and GIZ are co-organizing two NDC Clinics as part of the second Climate Week: Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation in Africa. Each NDC Clinic will provide a platform for dialogue and peer exchange on key aspects of investment planning and mobilization, covering the full process from upstream to downstream. This includes strengthening institutional arrangements, policy alignment, investment prioritization, creation of enabling environments, and project preparation and structuring.