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This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate reports on the implementation of Decision XXV/28, which aims to enhance the capacity of IAI research projects to communicate scientific results to stakeholders and policy makers.

The meeting, held on 2-3 April 2018, brought together policy makers, scientists, and international organizations to establish a co-designed research program for megacities in the South. The initiative aims to provide scientific guidance for adaptation and mitigation actions, specifically targeting decarbonization in transport, housing, and waste management, as well as addressing climate-related health risks and extreme weather events. The participants outlined a seven-component research plan emphasizing governance, social dimensions of adaptation, and capacity building to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals in Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Sao Paulo.

The document outlines the governance, scope, and operational framework for INCCCETT 4CB, a collaboration between 13 international research centres and think tanks. The network aims to bridge science and policy to support the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals through enhanced South-South-North collaboration and capacity building.

The IAI Directorate is working to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy-making in the Americas by establishing relationships with multilateral environmental agreements, enhancing the capacity of member countries, and diversifying its funding sources. Key efforts include collaborating with the IPCC and UNFCCC, developing a sub-regional network for megacities in Latin America, and implementing an open data policy. The Directorate is also seeking to increase the visibility of the IAI through communication strategies and the hosting of the Belmont Forum Secretariat.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details capacity-building activities conducted between the 25th and 26th Conferences of the Parties (2017-2018). It highlights the implementation of inter- and transdisciplinary training, science-policy integration, and the use of seed grants to foster regional scientific cooperation and communication.

The IAI Directorate implemented several capacity-building initiatives between 2017 and 2018, focusing on transdisciplinary research, science diplomacy, and science communication. Key activities included the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Climate Change, which trained 119 graduate students from 30 countries, and the Professional Development Seminar (PDS) on Transdisciplinary Approaches to Integrating Policy and Science for Sustainability held in the Dominican Republic and Canada. The Directorate also engaged in science-policy collaboration through events in Mexico and the USA. To expand these efforts, the IAI proposes the creation of a Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program and a Research Internship Program, alongside a new Seed Grant Program for 2019-2020.

The document examines the tension between the high E&S safeguard standards of MDBs and the capacity or sovereignty of borrowing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It specifically analyzes the World Bank's 2016 Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), which allows for greater use of domestic safeguard frameworks. The author argues that to avoid the dilution of standards, MDBs and governments must move toward partnerships based on country-specific 'E&S safeguard plans' and enhanced capacity building, while ensuring civil society remains an active agent of accountability.

The IAI Directorate has engaged in several fundraising initiatives, including consultations with the Del Rio Family Foundation and J&M Philanthropy to develop a long-term funding strategy and pursue 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States. The IAI is implementing a crowdfunding mechanism via its website and PayPal, and has held strategic meetings with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and CAF—Development Bank of Latin America to align projects and secure funding. Additionally, the IAI was selected to host the Secretariat of the Belmont Forum, which is expected to enhance its ability to reach donors and funding agencies.

This report from the Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details fundraising activities conducted following Decision XXV/31. The efforts include consultations with private foundations, the development of a crowdfunding platform, the pursuit of US tax-exempt status, and strategic engagements with international development banks and the Belmont Forum to secure funding and cooperation for global change research.

The document outlines the structure of the 2018 Talanoa Dialogue, a facilitative process designed to raise climate ambition and inform future Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It emphasizes that the Dialogue's participatory nature allows stakeholders to frame climate ambition through a human rights lens, including gender equality, food security, and a just transition. The briefing details a staged approach for input—from the preparatory phase ending in October to the political phase at COP-24—and advises contributors to use the 'Talanoa' methodology of sharing stories and positive experiences rather than adversarial 'name, shame, and blame' tactics to ensure their inputs are accepted by the Fijian presidency.

The document analyzes the institutionalization of 'Xi Jinping Thought' and its impact on China-Africa relations, highlighting five trends: the centrality of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), support for UN reform, an expanded global military role, and stricter internet governance. It warns that while China offers development alternatives to the West, these trends may increase debt burdens, promote illiberal internet regimes, and increase the militarization of the continent.

The document analyzes the difficulties in establishing the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) compared to the Global Compact on Refugees, citing domestic political pressures, populism, and a lack of UN leadership. It highlights the unequal nature of migration negotiations between the African Union and the European Union, where the EU prioritizes border control while African nations focus on development. The author critiques the GCM's zero draft as a non-binding 'wish list' that lacks accountability mechanisms, though it notes the potential of its proposed capacity-building mechanism to support African regional migration goals.

The review finds that while the GCF Readiness Programme addresses critical capacity-building needs for country-owned climate action, it suffers from a lack of a clear Theory of Change, inefficient application processes, and a heavy reliance on international consultants. Key recommendations include developing a formal Theory of Change, increasing Secretariat and regional advisor capacity, streamlining application timelines, and providing guidance in multiple languages to reduce barriers for non-Anglophone countries.

The document argues that while the 1.5°C target is technically achievable, it is hindered by a lack of political will, insufficient institutional capacity in developing nations, and tensions between rapid decarbonisation and sustainable development goals. It highlights a significant investment gap, noting that the energy sector alone requires an additional $458 billion annually through 2030. The authors suggest that the traditional consensus-based international cooperation model is insufficient and advocate for 'coalitions of the willing' involving non-state actors and philanthropic support to build capacity in disadvantaged regions.

The document outlines a formal partnership between IAI and the IPBES Secretariat to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity in the Americas. The cooperation focuses on integrating regional data into IPBES assessments, addressing knowledge gaps, and supporting the implementation of the IPBES Work Programme within IAI member countries. It defines operational guidelines for bilateral meetings, intellectual property, fundraising, and the use of official logos, with an initial duration ending on 30 May 2019.

The document analyzes Tanzania's struggle to develop a National System of Innovation (NSI) and horizontal linkages due to low industrial capacity and skill shortages. It focuses on the Central Development Corridor (CDC), a logistics system connecting Dar es Salaam to the Great Lakes hinterland, highlighting how coordination failures, private sector concession collapses, and fluctuating mineral prices have delayed infrastructure progress. While recent improvements in port efficiency and border services have occurred, the study concludes that government-led investment, rather than reliance on mining firms, is essential for multipurpose infrastructure.

The document outlines a four-step framework for governments to implement local content policies in mining: aligning with national development goals, conducting a situational inventory, selecting appropriate policy instruments, and establishing monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. It categorizes local content policies into five types: local procurement, direct local employment, horizontal linkages (diversification beyond mining), downstream linkages (processing minerals), and the development of domestic mining companies. The guide warns that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions and highlights risks such as technological automation reducing employment and potential conflicts with international trade and investment laws, specifically WTO regulations.

The document analyzes how joint ventures (JVs) between mining companies and Indigenous groups in Canada facilitate community capacity development and economic self-reliance. It highlights the role of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) and Aboriginal Economic Development Corporations (AEDCs) in integrating Indigenous communities into the mining supply chain and operations, while noting challenges such as limited organizational capacity and financing difficulties.

The document examines Ghana's efforts to increase local employment in its mining and oil and gas sectors. It contrasts the early, more generic approach of the mining sector with the more explicit, target-driven framework of the petroleum industry, highlighting the importance of predictability, phased quotas, and robust monitoring for foreign investment and local capacity building.

The document analyzes Saudi Aramco as a state-owned enterprise (SOE) that has successfully transitioned from American ownership to a globally competitive national oil company. It highlights the importance of operational autonomy and gradual nationalization in maintaining efficiency, while noting the risks associated with the company's economic dominance. The study also details Saudi Aramco's efforts to diversify the Saudi economy through industrial expansion and the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program to increase localization.