Vision

The vision of the Santiago Network is to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches for averting, minimize and addressing L&D at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change (Decision 2/CMA.2, para 43).

Functions of the Santiago Network (Decision 19/CMA.3)

(a) Contributing to the effective implementation of the functions of the Warsaw International Mechanism, in line with the provisions in paragraph 7 of decision 2/CP.19 and Article 8 of the Paris Agreement, by catalysing the technical assistance of organizations, bodies, networks and experts;

(b) Catalysing demand-driven technical assistance including of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change by assisting in:

  (i) Identifying, prioritizing and communicating technical assistance needs and priorities;

  (ii) Identifying types of relevant technical assistance;

  (iii) Actively connecting those seeking technical assistance with best suited organizations, bodies, networks and experts;

  (iv) Accessing technical assistance available including from such organizations, bodies, networks and experts;

(c) Facilitating the consideration of a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage approaches, including but not limited to current and future impacts, priorities, and actions related to averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage pursuant to decisions 3/CP.18, and 2/CP.19, the areas referred to in Article 8, paragraph 4, of the Paris Agreement and the strategic workstreams of the five-year rolling workplan of the Executive Committee;

(d) Facilitating and catalysing collaboration, coordination, coherence and synergies to accelerate action by organizations, bodies, networks and experts, across communities of practices, and for them to deliver effective and efficient technical assistance to developing countries;

(e) Facilitating the development, provision and dissemination of, and access to, knowledge and information on averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage, including comprehensive risk management approaches, at the regional, national and local level;

(f) Facilitating, through catalysing technical assistance, of organizations, bodies, networks and experts, access to action and support (finance, technology and capacity building) under and outside the Convention and the Paris Agreement, relevant to averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including urgent and timely responses to the impacts of climate change.

Timeline

December 2019:	COP 25 in Madrid, Spain
	Parties established the Santiago network as part of the WIM, to catalyse technical assistance of relevant organizations for the implementation of relevant approaches in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change (see Decision 2/CMA.2, para 43).

November 2021:	COP 26 in Glasgow, UK
	COP 26/CMA 3 decided on the functions of the Santiago Network and issued a call for submissions. See CMA 3 decision here  and COP 26 decision here

COP 27/CMA 4 adopted the terms of reference for the Santiago network and established the Advisory Board of the Santiago network, with SB 58 to recommend a draft host agreement with the proposer, with a view to recommending it for consideration and approval by the governing body or bodies at their session(s) to be held in November 2023.  See CMA 4 decision here and COP 27 decision here.

For further information on relevant events see here.

Launch of the Santiago Network portal

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.

In this video message, H.E. Carolina Schmidt, Chile’s Minister of Environment and President of COP 25, welcomes the recent launch of the Santiago Network on the UNFCCC website.
 

COP Presidents event during the Climate Dialogues, December 2020

The COP 25 Presidency (Chile) and the incoming COP 26 Presidency (UK) jointly held an event on the Santiago Network during the 2020 Climate Dialogues on 3 December 2020. Parties and other stakeholders exchanged ideas on how the network could be further developed. For further details, visit the Climate Dialogues event page.