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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has issued Terms of Reference for a consultancy to develop training materials on science diplomacy related to global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. This initiative supports the creation of a regional Center for Science Diplomacy (CSD) and the IAI's Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program.

This research paper by Rashid S. Kaukab analyzes the divisions among World Trade Organization (WTO) members regarding the regulation of e-commerce ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). It examines the tension between the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative, focusing on the contentious moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and the challenges faced by developing countries in bridging the digital divide.

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's potential policy responses. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs hit Mexico and Central America hardest, South American countries are more vulnerable to a slowdown in Chinese demand for raw materials.

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's economic response. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs heavily affect Mexico and Central America, the greater risk for South American nations lies in a potential decline in Chinese demand for raw materials resulting from US-China trade tensions.

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International, Geneva, examines the challenges faced by developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce. It highlights a significant digital divide and capacity gaps that hinder these nations' ability to participate in negotiations and implement future agreements. The document proposes shifting from a narrow focus on regulatory cooperation toward a comprehensive approach that includes 'enabling issues' such as infrastructure and technical assistance, and suggests adopting a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) model based on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to ensure capacity-building commitments are enforceable.

This 1999 report analyzes the emergence of markets for global environmental services in Central America, focusing on the contrasting experiences of Costa Rica and El Salvador. It examines how these countries leverage international agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol and biodiversity conventions, to mobilize financial resources for conservation and sustainable development through mechanisms like carbon credits and biodiversity-friendly coffee certification.

This report summarizes a regional workshop held in Panama City in February 2014 by SDplanNet-LAC. The workshop used a rapid foresight exercise to envision the governance and planning practices required for a Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) country to achieve its sustainable development goals by 2030, subsequently comparing this ideal state to the actual governance practices of 2013 to identify capacity-building needs for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

This fact sheet lists the top 15 banana-producing countries in 2016 and references data sources regarding harvest areas, production levels, and Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) compliance.

A fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development mapping the distribution of coffee production across the top 15 producing countries in 2016, focusing on harvest area, production volume, and Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) compliance.

This fact sheet identifies the top 15 sugarcane-producing countries in 2016 and provides a framework for categorizing their production by harvest area and compliance with Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS).

The 'Protocolos Comunitarios Bioculturales: Kit de Herramientas para Facilitadores Comunitarios' is a comprehensive guide published by Natural Justice. It provides a framework and practical tools for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to document their customary laws, values, and decision-making processes into 'biocultural community protocols'. These protocols are designed to help communities manage their territories, protect their rights, and engage constructively with external actors such as governments, researchers, and corporations, thereby reducing power asymmetries and preventing conflicts over natural resources.

The "Biocultural Community Protocols: A Toolkit for Community Facilitators" is a guide published by Natural Justice to help Indigenous peoples and local communities document their customary laws, values, and decision-making processes. These protocols serve as instruments to manage interactions with external actors—such as governments, researchers, and companies—ensuring that community rights and stewardship of their territories are respected. The toolkit provides a comprehensive framework for facilitators to lead communities through the process of endogenous development, legal empowerment, and strategic advocacy.

A letter dated February 24, 2014, addressed to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim from a coalition of 168 organizations and individuals, urging the revival of B-SPAN, the Bank's Internet-based webcasting system.

This e-learning guide, published by Natural Justice, provides an overview of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It explains the historical emergence of the Declaration, defines who is considered 'Indigenous' under international law, and details the specific rights and responsibilities of Indigenous communities, States, and the United Nations. The document serves as a toolkit for communities to identify relevant provisions for advocacy, self-governance, and the protection of lands, territories, and resources.

This joint statement urges the United Nations Human Rights Council to hold International Financial Institutions (IFIs), such as the World Bank, accountable for the human rights impacts of their projects, particularly in energy, resource extraction, and infrastructure development.

This scoping paper analyzes the progress, challenges, and best practices in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across 13 Latin American countries. It focuses on three primary dimensions: the mainstreaming of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national policies, the operationalization of these goals through institutional and budgetary frameworks, and the level of ownership among diverse social actors. The document identifies a significant diversity in progress, ranging from initial set-up phases to the establishment of advanced monitoring systems, while highlighting systemic barriers such as short-term political cycles, lack of cross-sectoral coordination, and budgetary constraints exacerbated by economic recessions.

This fact sheet by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes the challenges of tracking climate finance in Latin America and presents findings from the Climate Finance Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (GFLAC) regarding international public climate finance across eight countries.

This briefing note from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the scientific and political complexities of 'loss and damage' within the UNFCCC framework. It analyzes four key traits—attributability, irreversibility, unavoidability, and intolerability—to clarify the gap between risk management approaches and calls for climate justice and compensation.

This desk study by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), commissioned by the World Bank, examines the relationship between improved cookstoves (ICS), indoor air quality, and health outcomes in Central America. It evaluates the technical performance of various stove models, analyzes factors that drive or hinder household adoption, and compares results against World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines.

This policy brief summarizes the outcomes of a regional retreat held in October 2017 in Colombia, organized by the Government of Colombia and the Independent Research Forum (IRF). The event brought together policy-makers from 12 Latin American countries to share experiences and identify strategies for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The brief focuses on five key themes: mainstreaming the SDGs into national policy, building cooperation and partnerships, monitoring progress, financing the agenda, and creating spaces for dialogue and learning.