The Secretariat of the Santiago Network is jointly hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The Secretariat serves as the operational hub of the Santiago Network, supporting the delivery of technical assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

Following a decision by the Advisory Board, the headquarters of the Santiago Network Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The establishment and operation of the Secretariat’s headquarters are supported, including financially, by the Federal Office for the Environment of the Government of Switzerland.

To ensure accessibility and responsiveness to country needs, the Secretariat operates through a global structure with regional engagement and outreach. This helps strengthen connections with developing countries seeking technical assistance while expanding and coordinating the network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) that can provide support.

The Secretariat works closely with developing countries to identify technical assistance needs, facilitate access to relevant expertise and connect requests with suitable providers within the Santiago Network. It also serves as a knowledge broker, promoting the exchange of information, good practices, tools and lessons learned to strengthen efforts to avert, minimize and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

As set out in decision 12/CMA.4 and decision 11/CP.27, the Secretariat is accountable to and operates under the guidance of the Santiago Network Advisory Board. It facilitates the implementation of the functions of the Santiago Network and manages its day-to-day operations.

Core functions of the Secretariat

The Secretariat is responsible for:

• Developing and implementing the work programme approved by the Advisory Board, while promoting coherence and synergies with relevant UNFCCC processes and bodies;
• Supporting the governance of the Santiago Network, including servicing the Advisory Board and implementing its guidance and decisions;
• Building, maintaining and coordinating the network of Member organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs);
• Receiving, assessing and facilitating responses to technical assistance requests submitted by developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change;
• Strengthening outreach, communications and stakeholder engagement to raise awareness of the Santiago Network and ensure that information is accessible and responsive to country needs;
• Facilitating access to and management of resources that support the provision of technical assistance in an effective, transparent and accountable manner;
• Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on results, including assessing the timeliness, relevance and effectiveness of technical assistance provided through the Santiago Network;
• Ensuring coordination and collaboration with relevant UNFCCC constituted bodies, the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts, the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) and other relevant initiatives, networks and partners.