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This document is a report on the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-26) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Antigua, Guatemala, from 20 to 21 June 2018. It details the proceedings, administrative and financial discussions, and the adoption of 45 decisions concerning the IAI's strategic plan, funding, science-policy initiatives, and organizational structure.

The Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has announced the availability of provisional reports for CoP-26, CE-45, and CE-46 on the IAI website. Participants of CoP-26 are requested to submit observations by September 7, 2018, per Article 85 of the Conference of the Parties Regulations. Representatives of CE-45 and CE-46 are asked to provide comments as soon as possible, preferably 90 days before the 27th Conference of the Parties. Additionally, reports from a joint meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Science and Policy Advisory Committee (June 18, 2018) and the 2nd Science and Policy Workshop (June 19, 2018) have been made available.

The report details the 2nd Joint Meeting of the SAC and SPAC in Antigua, Guatemala, focusing on the selection process for the Small Grant Program (SGP-HW) on ecosystem services, the need for hybrid transdisciplinary training, and proposals to restructure the SPAC as a sub-committee of the SAC to improve science-to-policy coordination.

The Standing Committee for Rules and Procedures, chaired by the United States of America, concludes that no amendments to the Rules of Procedure are required for the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-26) in Antigua, Guatemala. The report includes the full text of the Standing Rules of the CoP, which govern the administration, voting, and election processes of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

The IAI Directorate is working to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy-making in the Americas by establishing relationships with multilateral environmental agreements, enhancing the capacity of member countries, and diversifying its funding sources. Key efforts include collaborating with the IPCC and UNFCCC, developing a sub-regional network for megacities in Latin America, and implementing an open data policy. The Directorate is also seeking to increase the visibility of the IAI through communication strategies and the hosting of the Belmont Forum Secretariat.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) reported a strengthened financial position as of April 30, 2017, with cash balances 179.8% higher than the previous year. While total revenues reached US$1,424,975, the institute faces ongoing challenges with unpaid contributions from some member countries, totaling US$1.31 million. Budget performance through February 2017 showed expenses 13.1% lower than the budget, though salaries were higher than expected. Administratively, the IAI implemented new accounting software and continues to work toward the full implementation of Tripartite Agreements in Argentina and Brazil.

The CRN3 Researchers Meeting focused on improving the translation of scientific research into actionable policy outputs. Key discussions centered on the challenges of interdisciplinary science, the establishment of an IAI open data platform supported by the Government of Uruguay, and the creation of a special peer-reviewed journal issue to compile CRN3 position papers. The meeting also explored collaborations between IAI and global bodies like the IPCC and IPBES to better align scientific projects with national environmental frameworks.

The document is a participant list for the 42nd Executive Council Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held in Santiago, Chile, on June 17, 2016. It lists representatives from various national governments (including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, and the USA), observers from Ecuador and Colombia, and members of the IAI Directorate and advisory committees.

The IAI Executive Director Search Committee reports a delay in the selection process due to ambiguities regarding term limits and eligibility, specifically concerning the current Director, Holm Tiessen. The committee recommends suspending the current search to establish a formal, open advertisement and review process, rather than relying solely on member nominations. Proposed guidelines include a clear definition of the Director's term of service, a requirement for a transition overlap between incoming and outgoing directors, and a set of professional qualifications including 5-10 years of experience in scientific research grant management and proficiency in English and Spanish or Portuguese.

The report details the transition of the IAI to a tripartite structure. The Executive Directorate of Integrated Operations and Finance is operational in Montevideo, Uruguay, following a host country agreement that entered into force on December 13, 2013. The Science-Policy Liaison Directorate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has renovated office space at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, though staffing for the Director and assistants has faced delays. The Science Development Directorate in São José dos Campos, Brazil, remains under negotiation as the IAI seeks to ensure the host country agreement refers to the IAI as a whole rather than just the specific directorate to avoid operational difficulties.

The IAI Executive Committee has established an ad hoc committee to draft terms of reference for a new Advisory Committee on Science-Policy Liaison, aimed at integrating global change science into decision-making. The EC is also exploring strategies to increase member country involvement and funding, including reviewing the IAI Strategic Plan. Additionally, the IAI participated in the ENSOCIO-LA consortium to foster EU-Latin American cooperation on climate change and resource efficiency, and co-organized a World Climate Research Program (WCRP) conference in Montevideo to define a regional research agenda for climate services.

The Implementation Committee reports on the transition to a tripartite structure for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). The Integrated Operations and Finance Directorate in Montevideo, Uruguay, is largely operational following the ratification of its host country agreement on December 13, 2013. The Science-Policy Liaison Directorate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has renovated office space, though staffing for the Director and Assistant Director positions has been delayed by administrative and diploma legalization issues. The establishment of the Science Development Directorate in São José dos Campos, Brazil, remains pending due to ongoing negotiations over the host country agreement, specifically regarding whether the agreement should cover the IAI as a whole or only the specific directorate.

The IAI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) report for 2013-2014 details the implementation of the CRN3 project process, including 17 international teams and various integration projects. The SAC is promoting a shift toward interdisciplinarity between human and natural sciences in global change research, emphasizing co-designed research and capacity building. Key strategic activities include evaluating science impact beyond publishing, exploring roles within Future Earth and IPBES, and developing a framework for a Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). The report also highlights a need for the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to address SAC membership vacancies to maintain the required 10-member count.

The IAI is implementing a tripartite structure with headquarters operations moving to Montevideo and a strategic office in Buenos Aires. Research priorities include monitoring CRN3 projects, finalizing a MacArthur Foundation project on tropical Andean biodiversity, and leading the Latin American network for Future Earth. Capacity building includes a modeling event in Panama City and the management of seed grants. Policy engagement focuses on contributions to IPBES, the UNFCCC's SBSTA, and planned events for the UNFCCC COP in Lima regarding environmental monitoring and global change governance.

The IAI activities plan for 2014-2015 focuses on institutional restructuring, the monitoring of CRN3 projects, and the leadership of the Latin American Future Earth Network. Key initiatives include a training event in Panama, the closure of a MacArthur Foundation project on Andean biodiversity, and participation in IPBES and UNFCCC processes, including planned events for the CoP in Lima.

The document serves as a mapping tool between the NAP Technical Guidelines (NAP-TG) and the PROVIA Guidance, providing policy-makers in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other developing nations with specific methods and tools for climate adaptation planning. It aligns the NAP-TG's four elements—laying groundwork, preparatory elements, implementation strategies, and monitoring/evaluation—with the PROVIA adaptation learning cycle. Key guidance includes using stakeholder and network analysis for gap assessments, employing scenario analysis for future risk characterization, and applying multi-criteria analysis for appraising adaptation options. The document emphasizes that neither the NAP-TG nor the PROVIA Guidance is prescriptive, allowing countries to define activities based on their unique circumstances.

The agreement between Uruguay and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) defines the status of the IAI as an intergovernmental organization in Uruguay. It grants the IAI's Directorate of Finance and Integrated Operations headquarters inviolability, tax exemptions on official assets and salaries, and diplomatic privileges for its Executive Director and international staff. The document also designates the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment (MVOTMA) and the National Directorate of the Environment (DINAMA) as the primary national focal points for implementation.

The document is a participant list for the 21st Conference of the Parts, held June 12-13, 2013, in Montevideo, Uruguay. It details representatives from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA, as well as observers and staff from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment (MVOTMA/DINAMA).

The IAI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) report details the selection of 10 international CRN3 teams and the ongoing effort to integrate social and natural sciences into regional research. It highlights a critical shortage of SAC members, with six vacancies opening in June 2013, and discusses the adoption of 'Future Earth' as a framework for global sustainability and the integration of the SAC with the new IAI Science Liaison Office in Brazil.

The document outlines the governance structure, meeting protocols, and decision-making processes of the IAI Executive Council. It details the composition of the Council, the roles of the Bureau, the scheduling of ordinary and extraordinary meetings, and the specific procedures for voting, agenda setting, and the creation of committees.