The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) took part as an observer in the 19th session of the Executive Committee (EC) of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Loss and Damage organized by UNFCCC, in Bonn, Germany from 19 to 22 September 2023. The primary role of the Executive Committee is to oversee the execution of the WIM's functions and its ongoing second five-year workplan, which was adopted in September 2022. This workplan aims to sustain the five strategic focus areas established during the initial five-year workplan, ratified in November 2017. 

Details of the meeting can be found in here.

COP 19 established the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts (WIM) in 2013. It also established its Executive Committee (WIM ExCom), comprising twenty members drawn from Parties to the Convention, with ten each from Annex 1 and Non-Annex 1 countries, which guides the implementation of the functions of the WIM promoting integrated and coherent approaches to loss and damage associated with climate change impacts. The Executive Committee carries out its work by fostering coordination and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including its five thematic expert groups: 

1. The Expert Group on Slow Onset Events. 
2. The Expert Group on Non-Economic Losses. 
3. The Technical Expert Group on Comprehensive Risk Management. 
4. The Task Force on Displacement. 
5. The Expert Group on Action and Support. 

Dr Senaka Basnayake, Director, Climate Resilience Department, who represented ADPC as an observer to the Executive Committee (EC) of WIM for Loss and Damage, made the following interventions during the meeting: 

Enhancing the Communication Strategy of WIM for Loss and Damage: ADPC expressed support for the proposal to increase the frequency of circulating WIM's newsletters to twice a year. Additionally, ADPC requested the EC to consider including Academic institutions and Think Tanks in the mailing list, recognizing their significant contributions to the development of tools, methodologies, and approaches for estimating losses and damages and enhancing the capacity of stakeholders. 

Extending the Photography Competition Deadline: ADPC endorsed the proposal to extend the deadline for the photography competition, which is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of WIM, until October 15, 2023. This extension allows more time for countries, institutions, and individuals to submit and showcase ongoing practices and solutions aimed at averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with climate change impacts. 

ADPC's Interest in Expert Groups: ADPC expressed its interest in becoming a member of the Expert Group on Slow Onset Events (SOE) and the Technical Expert Group (TEG) of Comprehensive Risk Management (CRM). ADPC also confirmed its continued membership in the Expert Group on Non-Economic Losses (NEL), a nomination that was initially made in February 2021.