As climate impacts intensify, the Santiago network is stepping up to ensure developing countries on the frontlines of climate impacts receive the support they need — when and how they need it. At this year’s June Climate Meetings (SB 62) in Bonn, Germany, the Santiago network Secretariat, led by Director Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, demonstrated its commitment to turning global commitments into concrete action.
Deepening connections and understanding country needs
During SB 62, the Santiago network Secretariat held bilateral meetings and briefings with developing countries, regional groups and key constituencies. These discussions offered a valuable opportunity to hear national priorities and community needs, understand context-specific vulnerabilities, and identify practical ways the network can deliver tailored, demand-driven technical assistance.
Engagements with Santiago network Advisory Board members and representatives further reinforced alignment and helped ensure that the network remains inclusive, accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of vulnerable countries. A key takeaway was the shared recognition that solutions must be locally-led and nationally-owned — and that simplifying access to support remains critical.
Showcasing progress: Santiago network event
A highlight of the network’s participation at SB 62 was the event "Full operationalization of the Santiago network: Advancing a critical pillar of the loss and damage architecture."
Opening remarks by Advisory Board Co-Chairs, Angela Rivera and Stella Brożek-Everaert, set a powerful tone, underscoring the urgency of advancing loss and damage solutions and the importance of coherence across the climate action landscape.
An insightful panel discussion, moderated by Loretta Hieber Girardet, Chief of Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity-Development Branch at UNDRR, included representatives from across the loss and damage architecture: Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago network Secretariat; Mathilde Laurans, Deputy Executive Director of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD); and Tessa Kelly Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM ExCom). Together, they emphasized the importance of coordination, complementarity and building strong, inclusive partnerships to ensure accessible and responsive support to countries and communities.
The Santiago network’s first technical assistance match in Vanuatu supported by a consortium of four Members was highlighted as a powerful illustration of the network’s ability to deliver community-led, locally prioritized solutions.
Interactive World Café discussions added further depth, exploring capacity gaps, challenges to access, best practices and the crucial role of Indigenous and local knowledge in shaping effective, lasting responses.
Shaping a responsive, inclusive future
Beyond the main event, the Secretariat hosted a stakeholder consultation to inform the Santiago network strategy. This co-creation process ensures the network’s future priorities and services are shaped directly by those it serves — from counrtry representatives and regional groups to civil society and Indigenous representatives.
Director Carolina Fuentes Castellanos highlighted that these participatory engagements are essential for building a network that is not just operational but truly impactful — empowering vulnerable communities to shape and lead their own resilience efforts.
Looking ahead: From commitment to impact
The June Climate Meetings marked a pivotal milestone in the Santiago network’s journey from design to delivery. With operationalization complete, the network is positioned to become a cornerstone of global action on loss and damage — offering tailored, demand-driven technical assistance to those who need it most.
As the network moves forward, it will continue to prioritize strong partnerships, inclusive approaches and impact on the ground. By learning from early experiences like Vanuatu and listening deeply to country and community needs, the Santiago network is charting a path toward a more sustainable and resilient future — ensuring no one is left behind in the face of climate-induced loss and damage.
Thank you to all partners, speakers, and participants who contributed to the network’s milestone participation at the June Climate Meetings!