Belém, November 11 - 21, 2025
Sustainable adaptation, nature-based solutions and the resilience of transboundary basins lie at the heart of the contribution of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) to COP30 on climate in Belém, Brazil. Together with its partners, OSS highlights concrete approaches to strengthen water and climate security in river and lake basins, showing how nature-based solutions can reduce the risks of maladaptation and support resilient development pathways.
OSS also carries a strong message in favour of sustainable, locally rooted adaptation. By linking Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and the Adaptation Benefit Mechanism (ABM), OSS promotes governance and financing models that place communities at the centre of climate action.
By contributing to regional reflection on the resilience of transboundary ecosystems, particularly in the Lake Victoria Basin, OSS reaffirms its role as a partnership platform and a catalyst for African efforts towards ambitious, integrated and solidarity-based climate action.
To bring these messages into the heart of climate negotiations, OSS is taking part in several side events at COP30, both as organiser and panellist alongside its partners.
1. NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN RIVER AND LAKE BASINS
Date and venue: 12 November 2025, from 11:30 to 13:00 – Room 9
Theme: highlighting the role of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in river and lake basins, contributing to water and climate security and to the resilience of dependent communities.
2. TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ADAPTATION: CONNECTING LOCALLY LED ADAPTATION (LLA) AND THE ADAPTATION BENEFIT MECHANISM (ABM)
Date and venue: 15 November 2025, from 9:00 to 10:00 – Francophonie Pavilion
Theme: connecting local dynamics and national frameworks by combining LLA and ABM, in order to promote sustainable, territorially anchored adaptation and support local initiatives with long-term climate finance.
3. ENHANCING TRANSBOUNDARY ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCE OF THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN THROUGH REGIONAL COLLABORATION AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Date and venue: 15 November 2025, from 11:00 to 12:30 – EAC/LVBC Pavilion – C72
Theme: advancing climate resilience in Africa’s transboundary freshwater ecosystems, especially in the Lake Victoria Basin, through regional cooperation, global partnerships and nature-based solutions.
OSS role: panellist, with a focus on data, climate services and integrated approaches.