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This document is a list of participants for the 20th Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC) Meeting, which took place in Montreal, Canada, on May 2-3, 2005.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, focusing on its ability to provide a "development dividend"—socio-economic and environmental benefits for developing countries beyond greenhouse gas reductions. The analysis finds that the emerging CDM market is skewed toward a few large developing countries and dominated by low-cost industrial projects (such as HFC23 decomposition) that offer minimal sustainable development benefits. The report recommends reforming the CDM Executive Board, shifting from project-by-project to sectoral or policy-based approaches, and increasing support for small-scale projects to ensure more equitable and impactful development outcomes.

This executive summary evaluates the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol, focusing on its ability to provide a "development dividend"—benefits to developing countries in economic growth, technology, poverty alleviation, and health beyond climate mitigation. The authors argue that the current project pipeline is under-performing, skewed toward a few countries, and dominated by low-development-benefit industrial gas projects, necessitating reforms in project cycles, rules, and international financing to ensure sustainable development goals are met.

The Report of the IAI Directorate, presented in May 2005, outlines the activities of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research from July 2004 to May 2005. It emphasizes a strategic shift toward 'regional relevance' by bridging the gap between scientific research and policy-making, while detailing administrative updates, the transition to a second round of Collaborative Research Networks (CRN-II), and the implementation of training institutes in Mexico and Costa Rica.

The Executive Directorate report of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), covering July 2004 to May 2005, details the transition between Directors Gustavo V. Necco and John W. B. Stewart. The report emphasizes a strategic shift toward increasing regional relevance by bridging the gap between scientific excellence and practical policy application, while outlining administrative updates, the status of research networks (CRN-I and CRN-II), and the execution of capacity-building institutes in Mexico and Costa Rica.

The Report of the CRN-I Program details the outcomes of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research's (IAI) Collaborative Research Network (CRN) program, which operated from 1999 to 2003. The program invested approximately US$10 million across 14 grants to foster multidisciplinary, international research networks focused on global change phenomena in the Americas, with a strong emphasis on scientific capacity building and policy relevance.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) presents its Core Budget Request for the 2005-2006 fiscal year, proposing a total budget of $1,012,405. This represents a net increase of $74,086 over the previous year's expenses, driven primarily by rising personnel costs and inflation in Brazil.

The Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC) Report for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 details the committee's oversight of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), focusing on external audits by KPMG, revisions to administrative manuals, and the management of the Core Budget and staff compensation.

This research paper examines the historical and contemporary relationship between African diasporas and their homelands, focusing on political influence, the impact of remittances on national economies, and the social dynamics of migration in Africa south of the Sahara.

This report analyzes the compatibility of eco-labeling standards and green procurement policies with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, specifically for World Bank borrowers. It concludes that WTO rules generally do not present significant legal barriers to 'greening' project procurement, primarily because government procurement is largely excluded from the main WTO agreements for goods and services. However, the report highlights significant concerns from developing countries regarding the costs, technical burdens, and potential market access restrictions associated with eco-labels, particularly those based on non-product-related process and production methods (npr PPMs).

Minutes from the 19th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 29-30, 2004. The meeting covered scientific program updates, financial reports, administrative challenges regarding local staff in Brazil, and the announcement of the Executive Director's resignation.

The document contains the minutes of the Eleventh Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Conference of the Parties (CoP), held on June 30 and July 2, 2004, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The meeting focused on administrative governance, the recruitment of a new IAI Director, budget approvals for FY 2004/2005, and the election of members for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Executive Council (EC).

The report documents the 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from June 30 to July 2, 2004. The meeting focused on administrative transitions, including the search for a new Executive Director, the approval of the 2004/2005 budget and annual program, and the election of members for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Executive Council (CE).

This 2005 IISD report examines food security as a fundamental human right, moving beyond simple supply metrics to include distribution and individual access. It evaluates four strategies for achieving food security: food self-sufficiency, trade liberalization, food sovereignty, and multi-functional agriculture. The report argues that while trade can stabilize supply, it can also undermine local production and increase vulnerability. It concludes that a pragmatic approach combining flexible trade rules with national policy space and sustainable agricultural practices is necessary to ensure long-term food security.

This report summarizes a 2004 workshop on renewable energy for decentralized rural electricity in developing countries. It concludes that while technologies like solar PV, mini-hydro, wind, and biomass are available, their adoption is hindered by cost, financing, and technical capacity. The report emphasizes that technology choice must be driven by local needs and productive uses of energy to alleviate poverty. It recommends that donors support national policies, accept higher risks for new technology adaptation, and encourage 'clustering' of projects to ensure sustainable maintenance and service.

The report analyzes the impact of bilateral trade agreements on copyright and access to knowledge, noting that agreements involving the U.S. often impose protections (such as 70-year terms and anti-circumvention of TPMs) that exceed multilateral standards. It also summarizes IP disputes in the WTO regarding pharmaceutical compulsory licensing and genetic resource disclosure, as well as tensions at WIPO over the Substantive Patent Law Treaty.

This report assesses progress toward the human development Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) between 2000 and 2005, focusing on the challenges of scaling up skilled providers, ensuring sustained financing, and improving governance to translate resources into effective service delivery in health, education, water, and sanitation.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the development of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Brazil, focusing on the role of SEBRAE as a model for public-private partnership. It contrasts the Brazilian approach—which emphasizes logistical support, training, and clear categorization over direct financing—with the strategies used in South Africa and Lesotho.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the potential for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Mercosur. It argues that while static economic gains from tariff reduction are limited and may reinforce South Africa's reliance on primary product exports, significant dynamic opportunities exist through intra-industry specialization, institutional collaboration, and the disciplining of dominant domestic firms to benefit downstream manufacturing.

This briefing proposes 'action targets' as a method for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission commitments. Unlike fixed or intensity targets, action targets require an entity to reduce emissions by an agreed percentage of its actual emissions during a commitment period, providing greater predictability regarding the 'level of effort' required regardless of economic growth scenarios.