The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
A Q&A on how UNOPS supports the Santiago Network to deliver technical assistance to nations and communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago Network Secretariat, explains how UNOPS unique hosting model helps the network connect developing countries with the global expertise they need to address climate-related loss and damage.
As the world faces mounting climate and environmental challenges, effective multilateral collaboration is crucial to help communities access the technical assistance they need to address the impacts.
In this Q&A, Carolina Fuentes Castellanos shares how the Santiago Network’s partnership with UNOPS, together with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, helps it deliver on its mandate and translate global resources and expertise into tangible support for communities in need.
Can you describe the Santiago Network and its mission?
The Santiago Network was established by parties to the UN Climate Convention to support developing countries and communities in addressing the impacts of climate change. We support by connecting them with the technical assistance they need from organizations, bodies, networks, and experts. In essence, we connect those in need of technical assistance to address loss and damage with the support they need at the right time.
How does UNOPS help you deliver on your core mission?
Delivering on our mandate requires strong and reliable operational support. The operational partnership with UNOPS brings that support, as they have strong fiduciary systems and strong global infrastructure that helps us provide support to countries in a seamless manner. The delivery capacity that UNOPS has, and the procurement systems that it has in place, together with the experience the organization brings on project management, help us provide support in a way that is efficient and that is transparent. UNOPS also helps us reach out to the countries and communities in the most vulnerable contexts.
What difference does our partnership make in reaching people?
Our partnership with UNOPS significantly strengthens our ability to reach the people that need support the most. UNOPS global presence and delivery capacity helps us make sure that we bring quality technical assistance in an effective and efficient manner, bridging local realities with the global experience that UNOPS has.
UNOPS global presence and delivery capacity helps us make sure that we bring quality technical assistance in an effective and efficient manner, bridging local realities with the global experience that UNOPS has.
Why is multilateral action important now more than ever?
Multilateral action is essential to address the complex problems that we face today, such as climate change and related loss and damage. These challenges respect no borders, and there is no country and no institution that can face them alone. Multilateral platforms such as the Santiago Network are essential to ensure that no country and no community is left behind, and that the support is provided in a way that can help them address the challenges that they face. Multilateralism is, therefore, essential – and UNOPS is supporting that global response.
Carolina Fuentes
Carolina Fuentes Castellanos is the inaugural Director of the Santiago Network Secretariat. With over 25 years of experience in sustainable development, climate policy and climate finance, she has held key leadership positions at national and international levels.
Previously, she spent a decade working with the Green Climate Fund, where she played a pivotal role in shaping its operations in various leadership roles. .She has also served as Deputy Director General for International Cooperation and Director for Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, where she led national climate policy and multilateral climate negotiations.
