The Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) has begun construction of its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, making it the first international organization with dual South-North headquarters.
Founded in 2018, the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
It works to facilitate climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector.
GCA’S goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent.
It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
This will make GCA the first international organization to maintain dual headquarters in both the Global North and South, maintaining the equal partnership between both regions.
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The Global Center on Adaptation Nairobi
GCA Nairobi is set on a verdant, sloping site adjacent to the River Kabete. The Nairobi headquarters is designed by the architecture firm, Powerhouse Company, as an emblem of Africa’s climate aspirations.
GCA aims to use the Nairobi headquarter to play a pivotal role in unlocking finance for climate adaptation and towards mainstreaming adaptation throughout Africa’s development efforts, particularly under the flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP).
The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) is a joint initiative by the African Development Bank and the Global Centre on Adaptation.
It aims at embedding climate adaptation solutions into Ksh3.2 trillion of critical development investments in agriculture, infrastructure, water, and other public services over five years to scale up climate adaptation in Africa.
Since its launch, the GCA’s AAAP Upstream Financing Facility has shaped over Ksh2.1 trillion in investments, helping to build climate resilience for millions across the continent.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, President William Ruto said: “This climate crisis is real and therefore the Centre of Global Adaptation that we are building here is going to harness expertise, bring policy makers and development actors into this space is necessary.”
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On his part, Ban Ki-moon, Honorary Chair of GCA and 8th Secretary-General of the United Nation said, “This groundbreaking marks a pivotal moment in embedding climate resilience into the fabric of global cooperation.”
“By establishing dual headquarters, GCA demonstrates that true progress rests on shared leadership and mutual responsibility, ensuring that adaptation solutions are crafted by and for those living on the frontlines of climate change.”
Construction of the facility
Construction of the Nairobi headquarters begins immediately, with completion slated for mid-2027. The facility will serve as GCA’s hub for unlocking finance, mainstreaming adaptation in development planning, and initiating a global coalition to act on adaptation with the urgency it demands.
Earlier on CS Ruku reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully support the Centre’s work and ensure it succeeds in delivering on its mandate to guide climate adaptation strategies that promote sustainable development.
Africa, widely recognised as the continent most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, is also emerging as a hub of climate innovation and resilience.
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