Context: At COP28, the draft text for the Santiago Network, a collaborative framework to assist vulnerable developing countries in managing climate-induced loss and damage, has been adopted.

About  Santiago Network draft

• Background: The Santiago Network was established at COP 25 in Madrid as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• Objective: The Santiago Network will connect vulnerable developing countries with providers of technical assistance, knowledge, resources they need to address climate risks comprehensively in the context of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

• The resources are needed to address climate risks, such as rising sea levels, melting glaciers, storms, and floods.

The features of the Draft 

• Identifying, prioritizing and communicating technical assistance needs for the relevant organisations.

• Identifying types of relevant technical assistance.

• Actively connecting those seeking technical assistance with best suited organizations, bodies networks and experts.

• Accessing technical assistance available including from such organizations, bodies, networks and experts.

Governance

• Overseen by the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.

• The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) host the secretariat.

Benefits

• Enhanced capacity of developing countries to address loss and damage.

• Increased access to finance and technology.

• Improved understanding of the risks and impacts of climate change.

• More effective implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage

• The Warsaw International Mechanism was established at the UNFCCC climate negotiations in November 2013 (the 19th Conference of the Parties).

• Objective: To promote “implementation of approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change