GNDR is thrilled to engage in various events during COP28 in Dubai, actively contributing to discussions in the Blue and Green Zones, and co-leading discussions on Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Action at the COP Resilience Hub.

Join GNDR’s COP28 activities detailed below (all times in GMT +4):

A Santiago Network on Loss and Damage that Reduces Vulnerability

30 November, 19:15 pm – 20:00 pm, Host: African Union Pavilion (Blue Zone)

As climate change accelerates, its impacts, particularly in vulnerable regions like Africa, pose severe threats to development and security. This session aims to provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to share experiences, innovations, and solutions to address climate change-induced loss and damage. From frontline communities to scientists and youth, participants will discuss progress, expectations, and recommendations for the Santiago network, fostering collaboration and resilience to create a sustainable future. Don’t miss this interactive session shaping the response to climate challenges in Africa.

Moderated by: Dr Richard Munang, Head of Global Environment Monitoring Systems for Early Warning for the Environment, The United Nations Environment Programme.

Speakers include:

• Mr Joshua Amponsem, Founder, Green Africa Youth Organization 
• Mr Adessou Kossivi, Regional Lead of Africa, Global Network of Civil Society
  Organisation for Disaster Reduction & Board Member, Climate Action Network
• Ms Shitaye Astawes, Director of Advocacy and Communications, African Disability Forum
• Mr Harjeet Singh, Head of Global Political Strategy, Climate Action Network 

Stakeholders’ Recommendations to the Operationalisation of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage

1 December, 14:00 – 15:30 pm, Host: Humanitarian Hub (Green Zone)

As climate change intensifies, the world experiences more frequent and severe slow-onset and rapid-onset disasters, leading to a surge in climate-induced loss and damage. The impact is directly tied to event intensity, preparedness levels, and prevention measures. Unfortunately, these occurrences disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities, necessitating increased humanitarian assistance. The Santiago Network of Loss and Damage (Santiago network), established during the 25th Conference of Parties (COP), aims to provide technical assistance for averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage at local, national, and regional levels. The operationalization of the Santiago network is underway, with two proponents in consideration.

This interactive session invites non-state stakeholders, including frontline communities and humanitarian responders, to share experiences and insights. It serves as a platform to discuss the progress of operationalizing the Santiago network, address concerns, and propose recommendations for building a resilient community. The event builds upon the collaborative efforts initiated in SB58, fostering multi-stakeholder knowledge sharing to ensure timely and needs-based operationalization of the Santiago network.

From Taking Early Action to Scale: A Charter for the Future

3 December, 9:30 am – 10:30 am, Host: Al Salih Roundtable (Blue Zone) 

COP28 is pivotal, marking the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake to gauge progress since Paris. The focus is on collective action to meet the 1.5°C target, enhancing adaptation, and building resilience to escalating climate impacts. Critical to this effort is ensuring finance and capacities for proactive disaster protection. With climate change impacts escalating, adopting innovative approaches like early/anticipatory action and refining delivery systems is imperative. Relief, Recovery, and Peace Day on December 3rd at COP28 will amplify political commitment to these transformative approaches. On this day, Our Executive Director, Mr. Marcos Concepción Raba, will join a signature event co-hosted by the Government of Samoa, the UK Government, and the UAE COP28 Presidency, advancing this crucial agenda.

Transforming Humanitarian Assistance in the Face of Climate Crises 

3 December, 17:00 pm -18:30 pm, Host: Humanitarian Hub (Green Zone)

Join us for this panel discussion to discover how USAID and partners are reshaping humanitarian systems to enhance adaptation to climate crises, minimize losses, and safeguard lives, livelihoods, and property.

Risk Finance for Climate Change Vulnerable Communities – Needs, Gaps & Existing Supplies

4 December, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm, Host: African Risk Capacity (ARC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (UNDRR-SEM), French Pavilion (Blue Zone)

This event highlights current risk financing resources in climate response and fosters a multistakeholder discussion on technological knowledge gaps and community needs. Objectives include providing a space for stakeholders to share perspectives, learn from each other, and inform future programs. It also showcases existing risk financing supplies in Africa and the Caribbean, facilitating a discussion on best practices.

Enabling climate action through data, transparency and finance

5 December, 1:15 pm- 2:45 pm, Host: UNFCCC, SE Room 2 (Blue Zone)

This event not only showcases current risk financing resources in climate response but also fosters a multistakeholder discussion on technological knowledge gaps and community needs. The objectives encompass providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange perspectives, learn from each other, and shape future programs. Additionally, it highlights existing risk financing supplies in Africa and the Caribbean, fostering a dialogue on best practices. The session is guided by key questions addressing technological knowledge gaps, community needs, lessons learned, community involvement in program design, knowledge sharing across regions, and innovative financial instruments for resilience in the face of climate-related disasters.

Understanding the gender imbalance at the international climate negotiations

6 December, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, Host: IIED, LDC pavilion (Blue Zone)

Organised by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), this event serves as a platform to unveil the findings of a groundbreaking study exploring the barriers hindering women’s full participation in UNFCCC negotiations. Join us as we delve into the research insights, survey findings, and stakeholder perspectives that shed light on the structural challenges faced by women in climate decision-making spaces.

From Silos to Synergy: A Dialogue on Universal Access to Risk and Resilience Insight and Tools

8 December, 9:00 am – 10:00 am, Host: Resilience Hub (Blue Zone)

This session seeks to challenge silos between disaster risk reduction, humanitarian & climate action, and finance for resilience. Obstacles to resilience decision-making can be removed through common data standards, open analytical models and dialogue with decision-makers. Proven risk communication approaches designed for effective action are critical components of this process.

A strong call for action is needed to ensure these tools are universal and accessible to all. Our session includes a brief Ignite session with speakers but will primarily focus on interactive discussions with both in-person and online participants. Join us for an open dialogue on how to unlock risk data and engage in effective risk decision-making and communication! We value your input in addressing global resilience, empowering local communities, and promoting open data access.

Local anticipatory action: optimising intergenerational community capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate disasters

8 December, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm, Host: UNFCCC, SE Room 1 (Blue Zone)

Intergenerational locally-led anticipatory action is a key cost-effective and impactful way to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Only with local skills, abilities, and expertise at the centre of contingency planning, investment and early action can we cope with climate disasters more effectively

Speakers include: 

• Adessou Kossivi, GNDR,
• Mami Mizutori, Head, UNDRR,
• Sri Hari Govind, Nadam Foundation
• Jamie Cummings, ReEnergize DR3
• Liz Thompson, Barbados
• Nobuyuki Asai, SGI
• Hassina Razafindrakoto, SAF/FJKM
• Mario Caffera, Amigos del Viento
• Debora Dian Utami, YAKKUM Emergency Unit

Stories Slashing Silos: Resilience Storytelling Circle from Women at the Frontlines

9 December, 10:00 am – 11.30am, Host: Women and Gender Constituency Pavilion (Blue Zone)

As climate change advances apace, understanding the nexus and break the silos between climate action, humanitarian interventions, peacebuilding, and disaster risk reduction has never been more important. Resilience cannot be achieved if the social fabric is weakened as a result of humanitarian crises, for example, due to protracted or repeated displacement following conflicts or climate disasters, It is therefore essential to apply the triple nexus approach in all initiatives to build collective resilience in a sustainable manner.In this context, the stories of resilient women and their gender-responsive solutions to climate challenges are a source of inspiration and valuable lessons. By highlighting the experiences and contributions of resilient women, we underscore the vital importance of gender equity in the broader context of climate action, humanitarian response, and sustainable development.

These women’s stories serve as powerful reminders of the strength and ingenuity of individuals who are often at the forefront of climate-related challenges and provide invaluable insights into crafting effective, gender-inclusive solutions for a more resilient future. We want to bring together women with diverse age, gender identity and disability from different regions including professional climate advocates and grassroot climate defenders to share their stories of building and maintaining resilience despite all challenges.

Disaster risk financing in the landscape of compounded crises: what does that mean for financial flows/mechanism for disaster risk management / humanitarian action?

9 December, 10:30-11:30am, Host: Resilience Hub (Blue Zone)

Navigating Complex Crises: Climate Adaptation, Community Leadership and Transformative Local Actions

9 December, 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm, Host: Resilience Hub (Blue Zone)

This session explores the potential and practical challenges in the aspiration of community leadership for navigating complex climate-induced disasters. With a panel of experts from different stakeholder groups in the humanitarian sector, the session weaves together, insights and experiences to generate ideas for transformative local action for improved disaster preparedness, emergency response, and climate resilience. The speakers will discuss good practices and lessons at global, regional, national, and subnational levels for enhancing community leadership through access to a range of enablers – policy frameworks, knowledge, and skills.

Speakers include:

• Ms. Shaikh Mehnaz Zahan, Community Volunteer, Cyclone Preparedness Program, Bangladesh
• Mr. Kazi Shofiqul Azam, Secretary General, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS)
• Mr. Jeremy Wetterwald, Senior Advisor for Climate, Environment and Migration, IMPACT Initiatives
• Mr. Kossivi Adessou, Regional Lead for Africa, GNDR
• Dr. Valerie Bemo, Deputy Director, Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)

How to Assure Anticipatory Humanitarian Action is Mitigating Intersecting Vulnerabilities

10 December, 12:00 pm – 1:30pm, Host: Humanitarian Hub (Green Zone)

Welcome to our event focusing on the humanitarian-climate-conflict-disaster-development nexus. This intricate web of vulnerabilities impacts daily lives, especially for those in poverty and exclusion. This event will explore comprehensive solutions from social, economic, institutional, environmental, and political perspectives.

With global priorities shifting towards early actions to reduce Loss and Damage from disasters and climate change, this event, in collaboration with ActionAid and GNDR, shares experiences from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. We aim to highlight anticipatory actions that mitigate intersecting vulnerabilities.

Join the interactive dialogue, where community members share experiences and discuss how human rights-based approaches can build local capacities.

Our secretariat and members will be representing GNDR in panels and discussions in both the Blue and Green Zones. If you are interested in attending any of the above, please do come along or reach out to us today for any questions. All Resilience Hub events will be live-streamed for global audiences – registration is now open.