The Santiago network Advisory Board met for its third meeting in Bonn, Germany, from 4 to 6 September 2024. During the meeting, the Advisory Board approved key guidelines and processes necessary for the network to begin delivering technical assistance to those most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate-related loss and damage. 

Ahead of the meeting, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) spoke to the Advisory Board and emphasized the need to accelerate the network’s progress, as well as the role of UNDRR and UNOPS, as co-hosts of the Santiago network secretariat, in supporting this process.

In pre-recorded remarks during the meeting’s opening session, the COP29 President-Desginate highlighted the key role of the Santiago network. “As the COP29 Presidency drives progress on loss and damage this year, we recognize the Santiago network as a crucial part of this ecosystem. Its work will be critical to ensure that technical assistance is provided to those standing at the front line of climate change,” he said. 

The meeting marked significant progress towards the Santiago network providing technical assistance to those who need it most. Among the key documents approved at the meeting were the guidelines for responding to requests for technical assistance, guidelines for managing funding for technical assistance and guidelines on preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest, while an interim results framework was adopted. 

“We are excited for the Santiago Network being operationalized and are now on the right track to deliver its mandate. Notable progress during this meeting includes the revision of various Santiago network guidelines to ensure these are inclusive and accommodative – taking into consideration the wider concerns and the needs of all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples,” said Gideon Sanago, representative of the indigenous peoples organizations on the Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board, interim secretariat, and observers from Parties, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and the UN system held important discussions on the next steps for the network, including the Santiago network’s strategy, recruitment of the secretariat staff in regional offices, outreach to potential members and the sustainability of the network. 

A significant step forward in the establishment of the Santiago network’s secretariat was the announcement of the network’s Director. Following a competitive recruitment process, Carolina Fuentes will take on the role of the Director of the Santiago network, formally starting the position from 1 November 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. Speaking to the Advisory Board on the final day of the meeting, she said, “I would like to express my deep gratitude for the confidence that you have placed in me through my appointment as Director of the Santiago Network. It is both an honour and a responsibility that I take with pride, humility, drive, respect and strong commitment.”

The decisions from this meeting focused on enabling the Santiago network to serve its role as a network to connect those seeking technical assistance with resources and organizations, bodies, networks and experts able to deliver assistance, as well as build knowledge and capacities across regional, national and local levels. 

“With the adoption of crucial working documents, the third Advisory Board meeting marks a turning point in the operationalization of the Santiago network, opening the door for countries and communities of action to submit requests for technical assistance and enabling processes to catalyze the delivery of technical assistance and knowledge sharing on averting, minimizing and addressing the increasing impacts of climate change that vulnerable communities are experiencing across the globe. This is a significant advancement towards mobilizing global action on loss and damage and responding to urgent calls for support from communities whose survival is being threatened by the climate crisis, as is the case of Small Islands Developing States,” said Camila Minerva Rodríguez, representative of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the Advisory Board. 

The Santiago network's third Advisory Board meeting in Bonn, Germany.