15 April 2025

We are honoured to assume the role of Co-Chairs of the Santiago network Advisory Board at this pivotal moment in its evolution. As the adverse impacts of climate change intensify, the need for timely, coordinated and tailored technical assistance in vulnerable developing countries has never been greater.

The Santiago network is an essential part of the loss and damage response architecture – catalyzing technical assistance from its Members and matching specialized knowledge and skills with country-driven requests to enable the delivery of assistance and build long-term climate resilience.

Over the past year, the Advisory Board has helped lay strong operational foundations for the network. Key operational guidelines have been established to guide the Secretariat’s work, expand membership and initiate the response to technical assistance requests from vulnerable developing countries and communities.

With 50 Members and a growing platform for collaboration, the Santiago network is poised to deliver on its mandate. The Secretariat is ready to receive requests and the Advisory Board is committed to guiding this next phase of implementation.

We look forward to working with Advisory Board members and representatives, in collaboration with the Secretariat, to facilitate decisions that accelerate progress, support complementarity and coherence across the loss and damage landscape and support the delivery of demand-driven technical assistance.

With a clear mandate and growing momentum, the Santiago network stands ready to make a meaningful difference. As Co-Chairs, we are committed to advancing this vision with urgency, integrity and collective resolve.

— Angela Rivera and Stella Brożek-Everaert, Co-Chairs of the Santiago network Advisory Board