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The document provides a comprehensive historical record of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) governance from 1997 to 2024. Key institutional developments include the adoption of the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan, the creation of the Science Diplomacy Center, and the implementation of Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies. The records track the evolution of the IAI's scientific focus, including the establishment of research programs on the nexus of climate, environment, and health, as well as oceans and coastal systems. Administratively, the document details the transition of the IAI headquarters from Uruguay to Panama, the approval of annual core budgets, and the expansion of the institute's network through the invitation of various academic and research institutions as Associates.

The IAI's 2024-2025 work plan focuses on three main objectives: updating the IAI's Open Data Policy through participatory processes, enhancing the usability of its scientific and policy repositories, and supporting regional and global assessments, including those by the IPCC and United Nations.

The IAI Science and Open Data Committee's 2024–2025 work plan focuses on three main objectives: updating the IAI Open Data Policy through participatory processes and best practice guidelines; enhancing the usability of data platforms, including the scientific publications repository and the Harvard Dataverse catalog; and supporting regional and global assessments, such as UN common country analyses and IPCC evaluations on cities and climate change.

The IAI's proposed 2024-2030 Strategic Plan focuses on three main themes: meeting the needs of member parties regarding global environmental change, advancing sustainability science in the Americas, and ensuring the institutional sustainability of the IAI. Key initiatives include funding transdisciplinary research on climate-health and biodiversity nexuses, expanding the STeP fellowship program, implementing an open data policy by 2026, and establishing a regional office in Central America and the Caribbean by 2025.

The IAI Directorate has proposed a Strategic Plan for 2024-2030 organized around three themes: meeting the needs of Parties to address global environmental change, developing science for the sustainability of the Americas, and ensuring the sustainability of the IAI as an organization. Key initiatives include funding transdisciplinary research on the climate-environment-health nexus, biodiversity, and ocean-coast-island systems through the Belmont Forum, as well as expanding the STeP program and establishing a new office in Central America and the Caribbean by 2025.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) is a regional initiative designed to foster science-policy dialogue and collaboration in the Americas, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2023 and April 2024, the SDC established three priority pillars: Capacity Building, a Knowledge Hub, and Emerging/Evolving/Innovation Issues. Key achievements include the launch of a Science Diplomacy Training Program for Policy Makers, the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program, and the development of a specialized science diplomacy curriculum with the University of Sao Paulo. The SDC is also building a Knowledge Hub to map experts, bibliography, and events, while engaging in strategic partnerships with organizations such as AAAS, UNESCO, and DiploCientifica to secure funding and expand regional training.

The IAI Science Advisory Committee (SAC) is seeking nominations from Parties to fill two vacancies occurring in June 2024, specifically for experts in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Economics and/or Development Studies. The committee emphasizes the need for international scientific recognition, academic excellence, and a commitment to balanced representation, noting a current underrepresentation of Central America and the Caribbean.

The IAI's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is seeking nominations for two vacancies arising from the expiration of mandates for Anahí Urquiza and Omar R. López in June 2024. The committee specifically seeks experts in Terrestrial Ecosystems (Natural Sciences) and Economics or Development Studies (Social Sciences), with a particular goal of increasing representation from Central America and the Caribbean. Nominations, including a CV, must be submitted by April 19, 2024, for election during the Conference of the Parties on May 22-23, 2024.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and DiploCientifica have signed a Letter of Understanding to collaborate on projects involving research, innovation, and capacity building to strengthen scientific diplomacy and address regional challenges in the Americas.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) have signed a five-year framework agreement to collaborate on global change research and scientific diplomacy. The agreement focuses on activities at the interface of science and policy, including administrative support, technical assistance, and capacity building. Specific projects will be detailed in subsequent complementary acts, which will define budgets, human resources, and intellectual property rights. The agreement does not create immediate financial obligations for either party.

The IAI Strategic Plan 2024–2030 focuses on three strategic themes: meeting the needs of Parties to address global environmental change, developing science for the sustainability of the Americas, and ensuring the sustainability of the IAI. These themes are implemented through 10 strategic goals, including the promotion of transdisciplinary research on biodiversity, climate change adaptation, and water-food-energy nexuses, as well as strengthening science-policy interfaces and regional funding networks.

The document analyzes global conflict trends using Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) data. It finds that while battle-related deaths from state-based conflicts decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, 2023 remains the third most violent year since 1989, driven largely by wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The report notes a record high of 59 state-based conflicts in 2023, suggesting a more complex conflict landscape where fewer countries experience a higher number of simultaneous conflicts. Non-state conflicts have stabilized at a higher level than a decade ago, with the Americas now the most affected region due to cartel violence in Mexico and Brazil. One-sided violence continues to be driven primarily by non-state actors, though thirteen governments were still responsible for such violence in 2023.

Earthjustice argues that the American Convention on Human Rights requires States to implement a just transition to clean energy based on their 'fair share' of historical and current emissions. The brief advocates for the immediate phase-out of fossil fuel extraction and power generation, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and the mandatory use of comprehensive climate assessments—including scope 3 emissions—for all new energy projects and policies. It emphasizes that human rights obligations may necessitate more ambitious mitigation than those outlined in the Paris Agreement and warns against 'false solutions' like carbon capture and storage.

The document argues that climate change is a human rights crisis driven by a small number of 'Carbon Majors' in the fossil fuel and agroindustrial sectors. It asserts that States have a duty under the American Convention on Human Rights to regulate these entities, halt fossil fuel expansion, and ensure reparations for affected communities. It further argues that business enterprises have an independent obligation to respect human rights, which includes conducting due diligence across their entire value chain and ceasing deceptive 'climate-washing' practices.

The document is a formal agreement signed on December 7, 2023, between FAPESC and IAI. It outlines a framework for joint activities in transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and the science-policy interface regarding global environmental changes and their impacts on human well-being. The collaboration emphasizes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and includes potential cooperation through the Belmont Forum. The agreement lasts four years and specifies that no financial resources will be transferred between the parties, with each signatory covering its own expenses.

The agreement outlines a five-year collaboration between the IAI and PAHO to enhance institutional capacities for understanding the relationships between climate, environment, and health. The parties commit to joint scientific projects, a regional fellowship program, the dissemination of communication materials, and the strengthening of integrated surveillance and monitoring of climate, environment, and health conditions.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973, has prevented the extinction of 99% of listed species, including the recovery of 46 species such as bald eagles and humpback whales. While the law protects native US species through habitat requirements and prohibitions on harm, it also protects international species by regulating trade, as seen in the recovery of the red kangaroo. However, the document warns that 2019 regulatory changes by the Trump administration weaken the ESA by reducing science-based decision-making, removing automatic prohibitions for future threatened species, and limiting the designation of critical habitats, which complicates preparations for climate change threats.

The State of Climate Action 2023 finds that global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C are failing, with 41 of 42 assessed indicators not on track for 2030 targets. While electric passenger car sales show exponential growth and are on track, other areas such as fossil fuel financing and deforestation have seen significant setbacks. The report argues that efforts in most sectors must accelerate at least twofold this decade, including a seven-fold increase in the pace of coal phase-out and an eight-fold increase in the shift toward sustainable diets in high-consuming regions.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and Panama's SENACYT organized a training program in science diplomacy for decision-makers in the Americas. The program includes a field trip to Coiba National Park and a three-day workshop focusing on the intersection of science, policy, and international relations to address global environmental change (GEC), including climate change and biodiversity loss. It aims to strengthen regional cooperation and evidence-based policymaking through modules on national strategies, intergovernmental processes (such as the UNFCCC and CBD), and scientific advising.

The IAI Executive Directorate has advanced several strategic mandates from CoP-31, including the launch of a climate, environment, and health research program, the establishment of an Oceans, Islands, and Coastal Regions Committee, and the expansion of scientific diplomacy initiatives. Key achievements include the distribution of initial grants to 12 research teams across 15 countries, the development of partnerships with the University of the West Indies and the Global Change Research Center in Paraguay, and the implementation of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship with 45 fellows. The Directorate is also coordinating regional efforts on the Amazon and tropical forests, as well as enhancing gender and indigenous inclusion through new advisory committees and targeted funding for underrepresented researchers.