15 April 2025

As our tenure as Co-Chairs of the Santiago network Advisory Board comes to a close, we are proud to reflect on a year of meaningful progress in advancing the mandate of the network to support developing countries particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis.

Over the past year, we have worked to operationalize the Santiago network and lead its Advisory Board, chairing formal and informal meetings, guiding intersessional work and representing the Advisory Board in key international processes.

In close collaboration with Advisory Board members and representatives, we helped steer several milestones: approval of four guidelines and other key documents for operationalizing technical assistance through the Santiago network, the submission of the first joint annual report to Parties, active participation in high-level events at COP29 and progress on critical issues, including regional presence and enhanced support to communities most affected by climate-induced loss and damage.

These collective efforts have laid a strong foundation for the Santiago network to grow as a responsive, demand-driven network that delivers timely and targeted technical assistance where it is needed most.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our fellow Advisory Board members and representatives, the Secretariat and all partners for their collaboration and shared commitment. It has been an honour to serve, and we are confident in the continued momentum of the network in delivering urgent and responsive technical assistance in the face of exacerbating climate-induced loss and damage.

The Santiago network has a critical role to play in the international response to climate change impacts, particularly within the loss and damage landscape. We welcome the incoming Co-Chairs and remain confident in the growth and effectiveness of the Santiago network, as well as the Advisory Board’s leadership in guiding its strategic direction in support of those most affected by the climate crisis.

— Akio Takemoto and Alpha Kaloga, outgoing Co-Chairs of the Santiago network Advisory Board