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The Panama Declaration reaffirms the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) as the key regional mechanism for coordinating scientific and socio-economic research on global change in the Americas. The Conference of the Parties highlighted IAI's role in developing regional research networks, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation across Earth, marine, atmospheric, and social sciences, and enhancing technical capacities through grants and scholarships. The document emphasizes that the scientific agenda, peer review, and international collaboration should drive IAI's programs. Member states renewed their commitment to voluntary contributions and called for non-signatory states in the Americas to join the Agreement.

The document outlines the requirements for a training program focused on tropical forests in the Americas. It specifies that transdisciplinary teams of three to six people—including social scientists, natural scientists, and non-academic stakeholders—must apply. Completion of the course and a subsequent evaluation allows teams to apply for seed funding for projects. The program defines tropical forests as ecosystems between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn and emphasizes the inclusion of diverse actors from the private sector, NGOs, public administration, and indigenous communities.

The report argues that transdisciplinary (TD) research—which integrates diverse scientific disciplines and non-academic societal actors to solve real-world problems—is often hindered by a lack of formal coordination. Based on a 2024 workshop, the authors propose a framework for improving TD coordination centered on three goals: shifting scientific culture toward societal impact, transforming funding mechanisms to be more inclusive and flexible, and building specialized capacities in facilitation and communication. The document emphasizes the need to elevate Southern perspectives to correct power imbalances between the Global North and South in scientific collaboration.

Cuba assesses the first decade of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), noting that while regional capacity has grown, financial resources—totaling approximately 20 million dollars—have been insufficiently distributed, with only 25% directed toward capacity building in less-resourced, more vulnerable countries. Cuba recommends that the IAI integrate more closely with National Science Programs to ensure research aligns with member countries' priorities and suggests expanding the scientific agenda to include human dimensions, education, and the specific vulnerability of island nations.

The document describes a comprehensive training program focused on transitioning from isolated pilot projects to system-wide health adaptation in the Americas. It details eleven sessions covering the urgency of climate threats, the conceptual difference between incremental and transformational adaptation, and the use of vulnerability and adaptation assessments (V&As). The course emphasizes overcoming institutional resistance, integrating climate considerations into bureaucratic structures, and the importance of inclusive, Indigenous-led approaches to ensure health equity. Additionally, it addresses the need for strategic communication, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, and the synergy between health system decarbonization and climate resilience.

The CRN program established multidisciplinary international research networks to study climate variability, ecosystem functioning, and human dimensions of global change in the Americas. Key achievements include the development of high-resolution climate reconstructions using tree rings, the identification of critical soil degradation thresholds in semiarid regions, and the creation of disaster risk databases for ENSO events. The program emphasized capacity building, supporting over 600 students and producing hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, while fostering South-South and North-South scientific collaborations.

The IAI Directorate Report for July 2013 - June 2014 details the management of science network grants, including the Third Collaborative Research Network Program (CRN3) and the Small Grants for Collaborative Research in the Americas. It highlights interdisciplinary research on tropical dry forests, Andean biodiversity hotspots, and freshwater ecosystem risks. The report also outlines capacity-building seminars in Guatemala and Panama, the publication of a guide on urban climate responses in Latin America, and the IAI's strategic alignment with global initiatives such as Future Earth and IPBES.

The IAI's 2013-2014 report details the management of several research networks, including the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN3) and the MacArthur Foundation project, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to global change. Key achievements include the development of a GIS-based climate assistant for the tropical Andes, the publication of a guide on urban climate responses in Latin America, and the establishment of strategic partnerships with IPBES, UNESCO, and Future Earth. The report also highlights the transition of the IAI's executive office to Montevideo and ongoing efforts to integrate social sciences into climate research to better inform policy decisions.

The report outlines the implementation of the RLA/92/G34 project, focusing on the deployment of GIS-SPRING 2.0 and METVIEW systems, hardware upgrades for IBM RISC 6000/250 workstations across several Latin American and Caribbean countries, and the establishment of experimental internet nodes in Costa Rica and Uruguay. It also highlights the inclusion of Jamaica in the project and proposes a potential Phase II to support the creation of regional research consortia for biodiversity and climate change.

The IAI employs an independent merit review process to ensure scientific excellence and impartiality in awarding grants. Proposals are evaluated based on scientific excellence—including interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity—and potential impacts, such as co-design with policymakers and the inclusion of underrepresented groups. The review process involves expert panels, external reviewers, and internal committees (SAC and SPAC), with a specific mandate to ensure diversity in reviewer composition across disciplines, regions, and gender. Funding decisions are categorized as 'to be funded', 'to be funded subject to availability of funds', or 'not funded/rejected', based on merit, available budget, portfolio needs, and geographic balance.

The report argues that transdisciplinary research—which integrates academic and non-academic knowledge to solve real-world problems—often fails due to a lack of dedicated coordination. It proposes a three-pillar framework to improve this: changing scientific culture to value social impact over academic metrics, transforming funding mechanisms to be more flexible and inclusive of non-academic partners, and developing specialized capacities in facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution. The document emphasizes the need for these changes to support the Global South and ensure equitable partnerships in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The report identifies 37 unique software tools for climate-sensitive infectious disease modelling, finding a heavy bias toward vector-borne diseases, particularly malaria. It highlights significant gaps in operationalization, accessibility, and geographic representation, noting that most tools are developed by North American and European institutions despite being intended for use in the Global South. Expert interviews reveal critical barriers to implementation, including poor data sharing between climate and health sectors, lack of political mandates, and a mismatch between complex model outputs and the needs of public health decision-makers.

The GS/OAS and IAI have agreed to a five-year cooperation framework to enhance the role of science in policy-making and sustainable development across the Americas. The agreement outlines mutual commitments to support science diplomacy, capacity building for young scientists, and the exchange of research outcomes to inform decision-making. While the MoU provides a programmatic and juridical framework, it does not create immediate financial obligations; specific projects will require separate supplementary agreements detailing budgets and resources. Coordination is managed by the OAS Department of Sustainable Development and the IAI Directorate, with a Joint Steering Committee overseeing implementation.

The document outlines a formal partnership between Argentina's CONICET and the IAI to enhance scientific research on global change through joint funding, the exchange of information, and the development of research networks. A specific annex focuses on supporting Argentine scientists within the Collaborative Research Networks (CRN3) program, detailing financial contributions and selection processes for projects of regional importance.

The document outlines a partnership between REDE CLIMA and the IAI to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through joint scientific agendas, capacity-building, and the strengthening of north-south engagement on sustainability science in the Americas.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), in partnership with The Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG) and The Degrees Initiative, is launching a workshop series for policymakers in the Americas. The program focuses on solar radiation modification (SRM), specifically stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening, to address the knowledge gap between the Global North and South. The workshops aim to equip regional actors with the tools to develop national positions and engage in international forums like the UNEA and UNFCCC CoP, emphasizing climate justice, ethical governance, and the potential regional impacts of climate interventions.

The document outlines the formation of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee (IPAC) to integrate Indigenous knowledge and science into the IAI's scientific agenda on Global Environmental Change (GEC). It specifies that the committee will consist of five members from IAI member countries, emphasizing equitable representation of women and youth. The IPAC is designed to provide recommendations on the IAI's Strategic Plan and scientific agenda, working alongside the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). The text also details the candidate requirements, nomination process, and the IAI's broader Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policy.

The regulations define the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) as a ten-member body elected by the Conference of the Parties. The SAC is responsible for recommending scientific agendas, managing peer review, and evaluating the Institute's scientific results. The rules detail the nomination process, meeting frequencies, and the internal governance of the committee, including the election of its President and Vice President.

The STeP Fellowship Program, implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), is a two-year professional development initiative for scientists and policymakers in the Americas. The program focuses on three training pillars: science diplomacy, communication, and leadership, aiming to improve the science-policy dialogue and the uptake of scientific knowledge in policy processes. Fellows are placed in government agencies or private organizations within IAI member countries to work on national and regional agendas related to global environmental change.

The assessment identifies climate action, biodiversity conservation, and water security as primary regional policy priorities, while noting that health, poverty, and inequality are emerging concerns. It highlights that science communication to non-technical audiences is a significant barrier to evidence-based policymaking and recommends strengthening cross-sectoral and multi-country scientific cooperation, incorporating science diplomacy training, and leveraging international platforms and funding, particularly for small countries.