Adaptation Futures 2023

In October 2023, Ouranos, the Government of Canada and the WASP will host the 7th edition of Adaptation Futures (AF2023) from 2-6 in a hybrid format. More than 1500 members of the climate change adaptation community from around the world gather in Montreal to share their knowledge on the challenges and opportunities of adaptation.

The Adaptation Futures Conference series is the premier international conference devoted to climate change adaptation, bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, industry representatives and communicators to present their work in adaptation, learn what others are doing, and build networks. The Conference provides a unique chance to share expertise, skills and backgrounds and exchange experiences with an active adaptation network. This conference is the flagship event of the World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP), one of the four components of the World Climate Programme. 

The overarching themes of this conference encourage discussion on frontier issues that contain knowledge gaps, transboundary perspectives for adaptation, actionable solutions and connection with development goals. In all themes, there are two cross-cutting elements: Integrated systems perspectives, and indigenous knowledges and expertise. Furthermore, all themes relate to larger efforts toward climate-resilient development pathways, including enabling conditions needed for climate resilience in diverse contexts. The themes are intentionally phrased to embody cross-sectoral perspectives and to stimulate debate about the progress on the global goal of adaptation. They are relevant to all sectors, e.g. water, food systems, health, the built environment and beyond. It also seeks to attract more Global South delegates than ever before to the conference and forefront of developing country adaptation contexts. In particular, the United Nations Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) has been engaged in the organization and planning of this event as a part of the Steering Committee. Adaptation Futures 2023 emphasizes :

1. Learn from indigenous, local knowledge and voices in climate change adaptation research, policies, practices and actions around the world
2. Accelerate the adoption of transformative adaptation for long-term resilience 
3. Bring marginalized voices, especially from the Global South, to the forefront in the pursuit of climate justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
4. Accelerate momentum towards the Global Goal on Adaptation and the Global Stocktake and build on action to implement effective adaptation

Please see the introductory video from the organizers and the Preliminary Program attached.