By Eddah Waithaka
The Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance, together with its allies representing non-state actors from various African countries, is deeply concerned by the decision taken by the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD) during its inaugural meeting from 18 to 20 March, in Geneva and selected Geneva, Switzerland, as the host of the secretariat of the SNLD.
The recent decision made by the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network on, has raised concerns about global injustice and the dominating influence of the global north in shaping climate change response strategies worldwide.
The Advisory Board meeting in Switzerland, which was supposed to focus on reviewing the UNOPS-UNDRR technical report on cost-effectiveness and possible locations for the Secretariat headquarters, deviated from its purpose and disregarded the recommendations contained in the UNOPS-UNDRR report.
In the assessment process, UNOPS-UNDRR strongly recommended Nairobi as the optimal location to host the Network based on their thorough analysis using scientifically-proven methodologies from a shorlist of various other locations such as Addis Ababa, Bonn and Geneva;
This analysis by UNOPs-UNDRR to the Advisory Board was blatantly and contemptuously ignored and the Board chose Geneva, which was ranked third in the analysis.
In its analysis, the Board turned a blind eye to what the Network is supposed to achieve, further concentration of the institutions of climate governance, particularly on loss and damage in the North.
This decision by the Board demonstrates the sustained conspiracy by developed countries to keep climate response measures remote to African and other developing nations who ought to be at the centre of the capacity strengthening support of the SNLD.
According to PACJA Executive Director Mithika Mwenda, the recent decision to locate the secretariat of the Santiago Network on Loss & Damage in Geneva rather than Nairobi is not only disappointing.
“It is a betrayal of logic and fairness. Nairobi, a prime candidate according to UNOPS-UNDRR’s meticulous analysis, was unjustly sidelined in favor of Geneva, highlighting the disproportionate influence wielded by the global north in climate governance. This move underscores a systemic bias that sidelines the voices and needs of developing nations, who should be at the forefront of climate action. The Advisory Board’s blatant disregard for scientific recommendations in favor of political expediency is alarming and calls into question the integrity of the decision-making process.”
Also Read: https://switchmedianews.wordpress.com/2024/03/27/african-nations-call-for-action-to-help-communities-affected-by-changing-climate/
“As civil society organization, the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, we vehemently disagree with this decision. It is time for a reckoning – for transparency, accountability, and justice to prevail. Developing countries deserve a seat at the table and the opportunity to lead in addressing the challenges of climate change. Let us stand together in condemning this injustice and demand that the decision be reversed in favor of Nairobi, where the spirit of climate justice can truly thrive, ” the Executive Director continued.
During a press briefing on the 28th of March, PACJA’s Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Phillip Kilonzo, read out the press statement and said, “We are Aggrieved that the hosting right for a Platform which embodies the struggles of the communities at the frontline of climate crisis, and whose location should symbolise the very palpable rationale of tackling Loss and Damage has once again been unjustly snatched from a deserving developing country through a clandestinely nefarious process of manipulation, carrot-dangling and intimidation.”
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