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The report details the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-31) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City from June 21-22, 2023. The meeting focused on administrative approvals, the establishment of new scientific and diplomatic initiatives, and the strengthening of the science-policy interface in the Americas.

The report details the proceedings of the 55th meeting of the Executive Council (EC-55) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on June 20, 2023, in Panama City and via videoconference. The meeting focused on financial sustainability, leadership transitions, and regional climate initiatives.

The report warns that the Amazon is nearing a tipping point where deforestation disrupts the water cycle, causing a 'domino effect' of degradation. CPI/PUC-Rio modeling shows that for every 100 trees deforested, 22 more die in distant areas due to water loss. If deforestation reaches 40%, the forest could lose 60% of its vegetation density and face climate collapse.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement regarding the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, highlighting the resulting humanitarian and environmental crises and the broader impacts of Russia's invasion on sustainable development.

The document is a Community Biocultural Protocol (PBC) for the local communities of Fokontany Sahandrazana, located in the Commune of Ranomafana, Vatovavy Region. Validated in June 2023, it serves as a guide for external actors—such as researchers, students, and entrepreneurs—on the procedures, values, and conditions required to obtain prior informed consent for the collection and use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge within the territory.

This case study by the Global Resilience Partnership describes the indigenous ecological knowledge and hydrological resilience of the Dubla tribe in Sarodhi, Valsad district, Gujarat. It highlights the impact of colonization and industrialization on the community and details the efforts of Aranya Design Studio to document and preserve traditional knowledge through educational initiatives with local students.

The paper introduces 'Connected Conservation', a dual-branched model designed to address the biodiversity crisis by tackling distant wealth-related drivers of biodiversity loss while simultaneously empowering local biodiversity stewards.

This document, prepared by the IAI Directorate, presents preliminary findings from a Regional Assessment of IAI Parties' priorities regarding global change policy. The assessment utilized surveys, listening sessions, and the analysis of 86 policy documents to map the domestic and international global change policy landscape, identifying current and emerging priorities as well as barriers to integrating scientific information into decision-making.

This report presents preliminary results from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Regional Assessment, which maps national and international global change policies and decision-making landscapes to better align research funding with the priority needs of member countries.

The Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) Challenge is an initiative by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and Munich Re Foundation to identify and scale innovative, nature-positive agricultural solutions in East Africa. The program provides not-for-profit organizations with mentoring, leadership training, and connections to investors to transform seed-level ideas into sustainable business models that enhance biodiversity and climate resilience.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can assist governments in preparing Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to report progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The document argues that VSS can bridge data gaps, provide best-practice case studies, and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships to enhance the transparency and inclusivity of national reporting.

This briefing from the IAI Directorate provides an update on the partnership between the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Belmont Forum, detailing the IAI's role as a member and co-Chair, and its participation in several Collaborative Research Actions (CRAs).

This executive summary evaluates the legal and policy framework for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in Madagascar's mining sector. While the framework is described as generally coherent and up-to-date, the document identifies critical gaps—including broad stabilization clauses and the potential for operating permits to precede environmental permits—and provides recommendations to align the system with international best practices from the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).

The Stakeholder Toolkit, updated in March 2023 by the Forest Declaration Assessment, provides a curated list of frameworks, guides, and initiatives designed to help financial institutions and investors manage deforestation risks and transition to sustainable portfolios.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can help reduce poverty among smallholder farmers. Based on a study of 13 major standard initiatives and 12 meta-studies, the document analyzes VSSs across three dimensions of poverty: access to resources, opportunities and choice, and power and voice. While VSSs can provide benefits such as better crop prices and improved natural resource management, the brief concludes that their overall impact on poverty reduction is inconclusive and context-specific, requiring significant external support from governments and the private sector to be effective.

This policy brief, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in March 2023, examines the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in reducing poverty among smallholder farmers. Based on a 2021 study of 13 major agricultural standards, 12 meta-studies, and 57 interviews across six countries, the document argues that while VSS can support poverty reduction through improved crop prices and resource conservation, they are not a standalone solution and require supportive ecosystems, government intervention, and improved governance to be truly effective.

This policy brief, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in March 2023, examines whether voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) can help reduce poverty among smallholder farmers. Based on a 2021 study that analyzed 13 VSS initiatives, 12 meta-studies, and 57 interviews across six countries, the document argues that VSS can be a tool for poverty reduction when integrated into broader strategies. It identifies key barriers to access for smallholders and provides recommendations for VSS designers and policymakers to enhance the socio-economic and environmental benefits of these standards.

The Maastricht Principles on The Human Rights of Future Generations is a statement adopted on 3 February 2023 that clarifies the application of international law to the human rights of generations not yet born. It establishes a framework of state obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil these rights, emphasizing the necessity of intergenerational justice, the principle of trusteeship over Earth's natural systems, and the role of Indigenous Peoples' knowledge in ensuring long-term sustainability.

This report examines the state of global forest governance, highlighting the critical link between strong legal frameworks and the ability to curb deforestation. It evaluates progress across protected areas, national policy reforms, industrial logging practices in developed nations, trade regulations, and the legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' land rights.

This document provides the technical annexes for the 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment, detailing the definitions, regional aggregations, and methodologies used to track forest loss, degradation, restoration, and biodiversity. It includes a specific data table comparing 2022 deforestation levels against a 2018-2020 baseline for 30 high-impact countries.