Statement from the new Co-Chairs of the Santiago Network Advisory Board

At this pivotal moment for the Santiago Network, as it transitions from its establishment phase into a phase of scaled delivery, we are honored to assume our responsibilities as the new Co‑Chairs.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Co‑Chairs for their dedicated leadership and strategic stewardship during the last term. Their work laid the institutional and operational foundations that now enable the Network to move forward with clarity of purpose and strength. We are particularly grateful for their efforts to build trust among Parties and stakeholders and to position the Network as a responsive and inclusive platform within the broader UNFCCC architecture.

As Co‑Chairs, and in close collaboration with the permanent Secretariat and under the guidance of the governing body or bodies, our initial focus will be on advancing the delivery of the 2026 implementation plan, structured around the following priorities: (i) Operations: ensuring that the Santiago Network delivers at scale, with quality, speed, and strong country ownership; (ii) Positioning: strengthening the Network’s strategic role, coherence, and visibility within the evolving loss and damage landscape, including through deeper collaboration with the WIM Executive Committee and the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, in ways that simplify country engagement and avoid duplication; and (iii) Institutional strengthening: consolidating governance, capacity, and long‑term sustainability.

We assume this role with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment. The expectations placed on the Santiago Network are high, and rightly so. We look forward to working closely with Parties, the permanent Secretariat, OBNEs, and all stakeholders to advance the Santiago Network’s mission. Building on the solid foundations established by our predecessors, we are committed to guiding the Network through this next phase with integrity, focus, and a shared determination to turn commitments into action.

— Idy Niang and Leona Hollasch, Co-Chairs of the Santiago Network Advisory Board