Strengthening the Scope and Participation of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from the Heart of America: Panama

A proposal by the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT) of Panama to the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), inviting the IAI to relocate its headquarters to Panama.

• Panama proposes to host the IAI Executive Directorate to overcome current "logistical, operational, and participatory constraints," specifically aiming to increase the IAI's engagement and participation within the Central American and Caribbean region, where 16 of the 35 countries in the Americas are currently non-members.
• The proposed headquarters would be located in the City of Knowledge (CDS), an urban complex in front of the Panama Canal. Panama offers to provide at least 160 m2 of covered space, including four executive offices, a hybrid-capable meeting room for 9-12 people, and access to a Convention and Events Center and accommodations with 96 rooms.
• Panama commits to funding specific operational costs and staff. The estimated initial investment for office furniture and electronic equipment is $90,000.00, with annual operating costs of $191,800.00, which include office rental, utilities, and the salaries of an Office Manager, a trilingual Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director, and a Communicator (translator/editor).
• The proposal ensures that the IAI and its non-national staff will receive diplomatic privileges and immunities in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Panama's Cabinet Decree No. 280 of 1970. This includes tax-free acquisition of goods, exemption from customs duties for personal property, and the inviolability of premises, archives, and documents.
• Panama highlights its environmental leadership as a justification for hosting the IAI, noting it is one of only three carbon-negative countries in the world, having signed the 'Declaration of Carbon Negative Countries' in November 2021. The country has over 30% of its territory as protected areas and 54.3% of its exclusive economic zone as marine areas.
• The IAI continues to serve as the host institution for the Belmont Forum, a global partnership of funding organizations and scientific councils. Under the proposed arrangement in Panama, the IAI Executive Director would remain the legal signatory for Belmont Forum operations and manage its finances.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2024). Strengthening the Scope and Participation of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from the Heart of America: Panama. https://archive.iai.int/administrador/assets/images/ckfinder/files/IAI%20Proposal%20Panama%20FINAL-en.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Strengthening the Scope and Participation of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from the Heart of America: Panama. 2024. https://archive.iai.int/administrador/assets/images/ckfinder/files/IAI%20Proposal%20Panama%20FINAL-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Strengthening the Scope and Participation of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from the Heart of America: Panama |date=26 March 2024 |url=https://archive.iai.int/administrador/assets/images/ckfinder/files/IAI%20Proposal%20Panama%20FINAL-en.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2024strengthening, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Strengthening the Scope and Participation of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from the Heart of America: Panama}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://archive.iai.int/administrador/assets/images/ckfinder/files/IAI%20Proposal%20Panama%20FINAL-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }