The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
COP28: Joint statement on the future of the Santiago network
Joint statement by Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director and Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28).
UNDRR and UNOPS will host the Santiago network secretariat which aims to avert, minimize and address loss and damage from the impacts of climate change.
"We welcome the consensus reached today on the host of the Santiago network secretariat. This platform will accelerate countries’ access to technical assistance to combat the worsening effects of the climate emergency.
"Climate change is leading to devastation and the capacity to confront this needs to be strengthened – this is exactly the aim of the Santiago network and why it is essential that we urgently operationalize it. The network connects providers of technical assistance – including civil society, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector – with those that need it most.
"Collectively, we have the tools, the know-how and now we have the commitment to ensure that support will be fast-tracked to the developing countries on the front line of the climate emergency. UNDRR and UNOPS are committed to moving quickly on the full operationalization of the network."
ENDS
The Santiago network
The Santiago network, established in December 2019 at COP25, plays a crucial role in addressing climate change impacts in developing countries. It focuses on catalyzing technical assistance from various organizations, bodies, networks and experts. It aims to support developing countries in averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage caused by climate change. Its mandate includes facilitating access to knowledge, resources and technical assistance needed to address climate risks comprehensively.
The Parties agreed on the institutional arrangements to operationalize the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage. This agreement indicates a structural and functional link between the Santiago Network and the Loss & Damage Fund. The network is envisioned to play a key role in catalyzing the technical assistance necessary for the effective use of the fund. This link is expected to enhance the capacity of vulnerable countries to address the losses and damages they face due to climate change.
