By Timo Schmidt, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Switzerland

At COP29, advancing approaches to avert, minimize and address loss and damage remained a key topic of discussion. While some outcomes were deferred to negotiations in 2025, the conference provided further perspective on the evolving loss and damage architecture and its mechanisms within the UN climate policy framework, including the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM ExCom), the Santiago network and the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage.

The Santiago network plays a particular role in addressing the needs of developing countries and vulnerable communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis. The network catalyzes demand-driven technical assistance from organizations, bodies, networks and experts to avert, minimize and address loss and damage at the local, national and regional levels. This can include risk assessments of extreme weather and slow-onset climate impacts, identifying financing needs, establishing pre-disaster preparedness, facilitating access to knowledge, building institutional capacity and implementing measures for recovery and rehabilitation, among others.

Displacement as a dimension of loss and damage

Displacement in the context of climate change reveals the growing human cost of the climate crisis. Its compounding effects on social, economic and environmental challenges reflect its multifaceted nature – not only as a form and indicator but also as a driver of loss and damage. In keeping with this broader notion, addressing displacement through the Santiago network requires a holistic approach: one that mitigates risks and removes obstacles to safe and regular migration to avert and minimize displacement, while also supporting protection and recovery for displaced populations.

COP29 discussions highlighted the diverse protection needs of displaced populations who move in a changing climate, both within their countries and across borders. This includes particularly those communities who are already marginalized, including women, youth and children, and Indigenous Peoples. With the Santiago network’s focus on delivering technical assistance, its processes are developed to consider urgency and demand in addressing these needs, guided by the priorities of developing countries that receive technical assistance.

The Santiago network’s first call for proposals (CFP), launched during COP29 in response to a technical request from Vanuatu, exemplifies the network’s commitment to address loss and damage comprehensively and connect developing countries with the expertise of its members. The CFP seeks to support Vanuatu in developing a nationally determined programme to address loss and damage, with an emphasis on both economic and non-economic dimensions.

Looking ahead

Building on discussions at COP29, the Santiago network could be well-positioned to advance efforts in averting, minimizing and addressing the impacts of displacement associated with the adverse effects of climate change. Three key actions stand out:

1. Enable tailored and demand-driven responses to address displacement challenges through technical assistance, with solutions based on local, national and regional contexts and priorities.
2. Facilitate strong and diverse network membership, including expertise on displacement associated with the adverse impacts of climate change.
3. Generate insights into technical assistance needs relevant to displacement and strengthen knowledge-sharing mechanisms to support the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices.

As the Santiago network is expected to move towards full operationalization in 2025, its capacity to drive these actions will grow. Developing countries will have the opportunity to leverage this opportunity, based on their priorities, by accessing technical assistance that considers displacement associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AIDMI.