Loss and Damage in Focus: Ten Years of the Warsaw International Mechanism Launch Event

Credit: Daniel Mizrahi/Unspalsh

Background

COP19 in 2013 established the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage. Guided by its Executive Committee (WIM ExCom), the Mechanism promotes integrated and coherent approaches to loss and damage associated with climate impacts. 2023 marks the 10-year milestone of the Loss and Damage Mechanism. The commemoration of the 10-year milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the advances made in institutionalizing the efforts aimed at averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage. It is a moment to put the spotlight on ongoing efforts on the ground and the challenges that remain. To commemorate this anniversary year, the WIM ExCom will present the Loss and Damage in Focus: Ten Years of the Warsaw International Mechanism photography exhibition at COP 28 to showcase the stories of stakeholders and communities on the frontlines of climate change in responding to loss and damage on the ground and anticipated.

Objectives

The event will formally launch the Call for Entries for the Loss and Damage in Focus: 10 Years of the Warsaw International Mechanism Photography Exhibition. The event will also showcase how communities and people at the frontline of climate change impacts are currently responding to loss and damage and the ways the Warsaw International Mechanism is catalyzing relevant support.

	Focus
1	Session 1 Introduction by the moderator, Ms. Camila Rodriguez Tavarez, WIM ExCom member Opening remarks Mr. Frode Neergaard, Co-Chair of the WIM ExCom; opening remarks on loss and damage urgency, 10 years of the Warsaw International Mechanism and upcoming Photography Exhibition to connect with those on the front lines Mr. Mohamed Al Sheraifi, COP28 Presidency; opening remarks on the importance of responding to loss and damage, and support for the Photography Exhibition at COP 28
2	Session 2 Panel Discussion: Evolving practices and solutions for responding to loss and damage A panel of six representatives from governments/country practitioners and organizations supporting the implementation of approaches to address loss and damage on the ground will engage with the following questions: How has policy-making to avoid losses and damages evolved in the last decade? What novel approaches/solutions emerged in the last decade in facing the challenges of compounding impacts of slow-onset processes and extreme weather events? How have the products developed under, and knowledge and support catalysed by, the Warsaw International Mechanism assisted countries in averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage? The speakers will collectively cover a wide range of thematic, regional, and vulnerability foci. Amb. Adao Soares Barbosa, Timor-Leste, former member of the WIM ExCom Ms. Anne Hammill, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), expert member of the Technical Expert Group on Comprehensive Risk Management Mr. Atle Solberg, Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), expert member of the Task Force on Displacement Ms. Gunn-Britt Retter, Saami Council, Co-Chair of the FWG of the LCIPP and expert member of the Expert Group on Non-economic Losses Mr. Le-Anne Roper, UNDRR Mr. Simon Young, WTW, expert member of the Expert Group on Action and Support
3	Session 3 Reflection from the floor/ open discussion Participants will be given the opportunity to share reflections from the floor on the evolving practices and solutions for responding to loss and damage and the interventions from the five panelists
4	Session 4 Launch of the call for *Entries for the Loss and Damage in Focus: 10 Years of the Warsaw International Mechanism* Photography Exhibition** The moderator, Ms. Camila Rodriguez Tavarez, WIM ExCom member, will officially launch of the call for Entries for the Loss and Damage in Focus: 10 Years of the Warsaw International Mechanism Photography Exhibition and briefly explain the submission process. Following the launch participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions.
5	Session 5 Closing of the side event by the moderator, Ms. Camila Rodriguez Tavarez, WIM ExCom member