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The IAI Regional Assessment (ER-IAI) employs a co-production model to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy decision-making in the Americas. By utilizing a seven-stage iterative methodology—including surveys, interviews, and policy analysis—the ER-IAI aims to identify specific information needs of governments to guide IAI's research funding and capacity-building priorities. The process seeks to move beyond linear 'push' or 'pull' models of science-policy interaction, instead fostering a multidirectional exchange to ensure scientific output is both feasible to produce and usable for policymakers.

The IAI Regional Assessment (IAI-RA) employs a co-production model to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy-making in the Americas. By utilizing a seven-stage methodology—including surveys, interviews, and policy analysis—the IAI aims to identify specific information needs of member governments to better prioritize research funding and capacity building for global environmental change.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is seeking nominations for three vacancies on its advisory committees: two for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and one for the Science and Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). The nominations are to be finalized during the 30th Conference of the Parties (CoP) on June 14-15, 2022. The IAI emphasizes the need for international scientific recognition, interdisciplinary experience, and a balance of gender, ethnicity, and geography, specifically noting underrepresentation in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and the Southern Cone.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is seeking comments on a new policy designed to enhance gender balance and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within its scientific projects and capacity building activities. The policy aims to ensure the equitable participation of underrepresented groups and reduce bias in the implementation of IAI activities in the Americas. Feedback is requested by 22 April 2022 for submission at COP-30 in Montevideo.

This briefing document, prepared by the IAI Directorate, presents recommendations for revisions to the IAI Scientific Agenda for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its 30th meeting. The revisions, developed by the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), align the agenda's terminology with other multilateral environmental agreements and incorporate specific research priorities regarding climate variability.

The IAI and MRI have signed a non-legally binding agreement to collaborate on research, capacity building, and the science-policy interface to address socioeconomic and environmental challenges in the mountain regions of the Americas.

The CESCR referenced climate change in 81% of its state reporting outputs in 2020 and 2021, focusing on mitigation policies, extractive activities, climate finance, and adaptation measures. The Committee specifically urged developed states to increase the ambition of their emissions targets and questioned the compatibility of continued fossil fuel use with human rights obligations. Additionally, the CESCR addressed the 'right to science' in General Comment No. 25 and developed a draft General Comment on Land, emphasizing the nexus between land rights and the climate emergency.

The IAI Gender & EDI Policy establishes a framework to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in science and global environmental change research. It focuses on reducing biases in project selection, improving hiring and grant practices, and increasing the visibility of equity-seeking groups. The policy details operational goals such as developing EDI rubrics for funding, implementing flexible work policies, and creating training programs for researchers on EDI methods. It also proposes the creation of an Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities Advisory Committee to guide the institute.

The report analyzes global conflict dynamics, noting that state-based conflicts reached historic highs in 2019 and 2020. It highlights the significant role of the Islamic State (IS) in driving conflict numbers and the rise of non-state conflicts, particularly in the Americas and Africa. The document also tracks the declining success rates of non-violent resistance campaigns and the prevalence of conflict-related sexual violence, which is most frequently recorded in Africa.

The paper reviews the evolution of disaster risk science, shifting from an emergency management focus to a proactive disaster risk reduction (DRR) approach. It analyzes the interplay between hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, while highlighting the emergence of systemic and Anthropocene risks. The authors identify significant geographical imbalances in research production, with a heavy reliance on Western scholarship and a lack of data from Africa and low-to-middle income countries. It calls for greater integration of DRR with climate change adaptation (CCA) and a stronger focus on disaster justice and indigenous knowledge.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate's mid-term report for the 2021-2022 intersessional period details progress in science, capacity building, and communication. Key achievements include the expansion of the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary (TD) Academy, and the securing of approximately 1.3 million Euros for a drought information project in the La Plata basin. The Directorate also reports contributions to the IPCC 6th Assessment Report and the development of climate-health tools in the Caribbean.

The report analyzes the transition to virtual meetings for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while virtual formats increased participation and reduced costs, they hindered informal networking. Survey results indicate a high level of satisfaction with the organization of CoP-29, though there is a noted need for better introductory materials for new participants and more frequent communication between sessions via Zoom and newsletters.

The IAI Executive Direction reports progress on transdisciplinary research, particularly regarding climate-sensitive infectious diseases in the Caribbean and drought monitoring in the La Plata basin. The report highlights the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program and the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary Academy to improve the interface between science and public policy in the Americas.

The document emphasizes the need for communication professionals to prioritize the safety and dignity of Indigenous peoples, particularly in the Americas. It warns against 'parachute journalism' and the risks associated with public disclosure, advocating for constant consultation, respect for traditional authorities, and the avoidance of colonialist or discriminatory imagery.

The document outlines the necessity of prioritizing the safety and well-being of Indigenous peoples when producing media content. It warns against 'parachute journalism' and emphasizes the need for constant communication with communities to avoid exposing them to risks through photography, recordings, or public disclosures. The guide advocates for respecting traditional authorities, recognizing legal land titles (Territories), and avoiding colonialist imagery that perpetuates discrimination.

The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (CoP-29) resulted in the adoption of 17 decisions covering financial budgets, governance policies, and scientific initiatives. Key outcomes include the approval of a new Gender Policy, a Whistleblower policy, and the establishment of a working group for a national climate assessment initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed financial strains caused by a lack of voluntary contributions and updated the IAI Scientific Agenda.

The IAI Scientific Agenda, adopted in June 2021, establishes a framework for scientific research on global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. It defines the primary objective of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) as advancing comparative studies that exceed national program scopes to improve the region's ability to sustain itself and cope with GEC. The agenda is structured around four interrelated research themes—human dimensions, climate variability, ecosystems/biodiversity, and atmospheric/oceanic modulations—and is designed to be revised every 3-6 years in alignment with the IAI's Strategic Plan.

The IAI Directorate is participating in a two-year Interacademy Partnership initiative to define, measure, and address the impact of predatory academic journals and conferences. A global survey of over 1,800 researchers indicates that 11% have published in predatory journals and 4% have attended predatory conferences, with over 80% of respondents viewing these practices as a serious or growing problem. The initiative aims to identify root causes—such as lack of awareness and career pressures—and provide recommendations to prevent the erosion of public trust in research and the spread of misinformation in public policy. A full report is expected in late 2021.

The IAI is launching a Regional Assessment to map the global change policy and decision-making landscapes of its member countries. By identifying specific decisions impacted by global environmental change (GEC) where science information is lacking, the IAI aims to align its research funding and collaboration efforts with the actual needs of the Parties. The process involves scoping workshops, electronic surveys, and interviews, with a final report expected by May 2022.

The IAI Directorate reported progress in aligning its Scientific Agenda with its Strategic Plan, incorporating revisions from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. Key scientific initiatives included transdisciplinary projects on vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and St. Lucia, and the development of a COVID-19 working group. The Directorate launched the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented in two countries, and established partnerships with Mitacs in Canada and the PAGES program. Efforts to bridge science and policy included a virtual workshop on drought policies for Southern South America and the creation of a fire monitoring platform for the triborder Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). The IAI also collaborated with the Belmont Forum on several Collaborative Research Actions (CRA) and published a special issue in the Journal Environmental Development on CRN3 results.