To mark World Environment Day 2026, the Santiago Network joined policymakers, senior representatives from governments, UN agencies, international organizations, and civil society leaders who gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, on 5 June for a high-level dialogue held at the International Environment House II. The event formed part of a broader programme on “Multilateral Geneva Driving Collective Climate Action,” convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with Swiss federal, cantonal, and city authorities.
During the high-level panel and at the exhibition booth, the Santiago Network underscored the growing urgency of climate action and the critical need to address loss and damage through country‑driven and needs‑based approaches. The event also served as a platform to build momentum and exchange perspectives ahead of the next UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).
With rising temperatures, ecosystem degradation, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, the 2026 World Environment Day campaign highlighted the need not only to reduce emissions but also to transform systems and strengthen resilience in communities most affected by climate change. Global leaders emphasized that climate action must move beyond commitments and translate into tangible and inclusive outcomes.
In Geneva, the dialogue focused on advancing collective, cross‑sectoral responses to climate challenges. Discussions stressed the interconnected nature of climate impacts across health, human rights, finance, trade, and ecosystems, and called for coordinated, solutions‑driven approaches to accelerate global progress.
Spotlight on needs‑based action for loss and damage
A central moment of the event was the intervention by Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago Network Secretariat, who stressed the importance of needs‑based action in addressing loss and damage. She highlighted that climate impacts are already affecting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems worldwide, making loss and damage not only an environmental issue but also a development and equity challenge.
“The Santiago Network’s approach places countries and communities at the center of climate response efforts. Support is based on needs identified by countries themselves, shaped by national circumstances and local realities, and designed to ensure inclusive participation of vulnerable groups, including youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples,” she said.
This needs‑driven model aims to strengthen national ownership, enhance the relevance and sustainability of interventions, and ensure that those most affected by climate impacts are not left behind.
She also reminded partners that addressing loss and damage is an essential component of climate action. Investing in initiatives such as the Santiago Network helps advance inclusive and needs‑based solutions and ensures that climate action is both effective and equitable.