Question

To ask the President of COP26, what steps he is taking to consult widely with parties to the UNFCCC on the decisions needed at COP26 to operationalise the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage; what provision he has made in the COP26 agenda to discuss and agree loss and damage matters, including getting the COP decisions needed to operationalise the Santiago Network; and what assessment he has made of whether the Santiago Network will be fully operational by the end of COP26.

As COP26 incoming Presidency, the UK has convened six consultations (workshops and a Heads of Delegation meeting) which have devoted substantial time to the issue of developing the Santiago Network, in addition to a dedicated session at the July Ministerial which I convened in London. The agenda for COP/CMA will be decided on by the Parties. My officials are also discussing the agenda with Parties over the next few weeks. Whether the Santiago Network will be operational by the end of this year depends on the view that Parties take at the conference on the process they wish to follow, but the UK will use our convening power to maintain momentum and encourage a fair, inclusive and impactful outcome.