Global Center on Adaptation Breaks Ground on Nairobi Headquarters, Becoming First International Organization with Dual Global South-North Headquarters
The new home of Climate Resilience to Showcase Iconic, Energy-Positive Design and Catalyze Co-Created Adaptation Solutions
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airobi, Kenya, 8 July 2025 — Today the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) marked a milestone in the fight against climate change by breaking ground on its new headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya—becoming the first international organization to maintain dual headquarters in both the Global South and Global North. This bold step underscores GCA’s commitment to equal partnership between regions, recognizing that effective climate adaptation solutions must be co-designed and co-owned by communities across the world.
The Nairobi GCA headquarters will play a pivotal role in unlocking finance for climate adaptation and in mainstreaming adaptation throughout Africa’s development efforts, particularly under the flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). Building on collaborations with more than 50 regional knowledge and technical partners, this shift of focus to Nairobi will further integrate GCA’s climate-adaptation finance mainstreaming both regionally and at country level across Africa. It will host an annual Green Adaptation Accelerator Forum that convenes heads of state, multilateral development banks, private investors, and civil society leaders to align commitments, streamline funding flows, and accelerate the scaling of proven resilience measures. Complementing these activities, a Capacity-Building Academy based at the headquarters will offer year-round training programs for government officials, community organizers, and local entrepreneurs in climate risk assessment, strategic planning, and innovative finance mobilization—ensuring that the knowledge and tools generated in Nairobi are rapidly disseminated and applied across vulnerable regions worldwide.
Set on a verdant, sloping site adjacent to the River Kabete, the Nairobi headquarters is envisioned by the architecture firm, Powerhouse Company, as an emblem of Africa’s climate aspirations. Featuring modular, prefabricated timber construction in a welcoming U-shape, the building integrates passive-design principles—leveraging natural ventilation, green walls, and strategic siting under the existing tree canopy . A large V-shaped roof, calibrated for maximum rainwater capture, will ensure water is stored in the concrete foundation for use throughout the year. Solar panels installed on the roof will generate enough energy to make the building energy-positive. Green vegetation will be integrated along the edges of the roof to cool the solar panels, while indoor green walls contribute to a comfortable and healthy interior climate.
Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya on the occasion of the groundbreaking said: “This climate crisis is real and therefore the Center of Global Adaptation that we are building here is going to harness expertise, bring policy makers and development actors into this space is necessary.”
“This groundbreaking marks a pivotal moment in embedding climate resilience into the fabric of global cooperation,” said His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Honorary Chair of GCA and 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. “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.”
“By anchoring our presence in Nairobi alongside Rotterdam, we celebrate the principle that adaptation is not a donation to the Global South but a shared endeavor,” said His Excellency Macky Sall, Chair of GCA’s Board and fourth President of the Republic of Senegal. “This dual-headquarters model elevates African leadership in shaping solutions that will benefit communities globally.”
“Today’s groundbreaking symbolizes more than a building—it’s the launchpad for a new era of co-owned climate resilience,” said Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, President and CEO of GCA. “By situating our headquarters in Nairobi, we embed GCA’s work at the heart of rapidly evolving adaptation challenges, ensuring that the solutions we develop are grounded in lived experience and local expertise.”
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 galvanizing a global coalition to act on adaptation with the urgency it demands.
Notes to Editors
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent. Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and is currently building a new headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. This will make GCA the first international organization to maintain dual headquarters in both the Global North and South—underscoring the equal partnership between both regions and recognizing that climate adaptation solutions must be co-designed and co-owned. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China.
About the Global Center on Adaptation Nairobi Headquarters
The new GCA Headquarters in Nairobi—the first international organization to maintain dual headquarters in both the Global North and South—underscores the equal partnership between both regions, recognizing that climate adaptation solutions must be co-designed and co-owned. The Nairobi GCA HQ will 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 Nairobi HQ will host an annual Forum that brings together heads of state, multilateral development banks, private investors and civil society leaders to align commitments, streamline funding flows and accelerate the scaling of proven resilience measures. Complementing these activities, a Capacity-Building Academy also based at the headquarters will offer year-round training programs for government officials, community organizers and local entrepreneurs in climate risk assessment, strategic planning and innovative finance mobilization, ensuring that the knowledge and tools generated in Nairobi are rapidly disseminated and applied across vulnerable regions worldwide.
About the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP)
The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) is a joint initiative by the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation, aimed at embedding climate adaptation solutions into $25 billion 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 $17 billion in investments, helping to build climate resilience for millions across the continent.
