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The IAI Steering Committee on Oceans, Islands, and Coastal Zones advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to ocean science in the Americas, emphasizing the 'Blue One Health' framework and the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge. The statement prioritizes the development of a regional research program under the UN Decade of Ocean Science, the management of the Caribbean sargassum crisis, and the expansion of innovative financing mechanisms like blue bonds for Latin America, the Caribbean, and Small Island Developing States.

The IAI and its partners commit to enhancing regional resilience in the Americas by integrating transdisciplinary science into early warning systems for droughts and floods, promoting scientific diplomacy, and ensuring open data exchange to support agriculture, energy, and ecosystem management.

The 33rd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) approved the core budget for 2025–2026 and adopted the Asunción Declaration on Water Security, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience in the Americas. The meeting focused on strengthening the link between science and policy through regional mechanisms and the invitation of new Associates, including the World Meteorological Organization, the American Geophysical Union, and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research. Additionally, the Conference approved an Open Access to Data and Publications Policy and revised procedures for granting permanent observer status.

The 33rd Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties approved the 2025-2026 operating budget, the Asunción Declaration on Water Security, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience in the Americas, and a new policy on open access to data and publications. The meeting also extended invitations for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) to become Associates of the Institute.

The proposal seeks USD 1,141,325 over 30 months to strengthen Paraguay's resilience in the agriculture and forestry sectors. It identifies five primary barriers: limited climate data, insufficient integration of adaptation into national policy, inadequate response to impacts on marginalized groups, deficient implementation of climate-resilient practices, and weak private sector participation. The project aims to establish a National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a Climate Data Platform, and a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS). Key financial initiatives include the development of a NAP Private Sector Financing Strategy and technical assistance to the Paraguay Development Finance Agency (AFD) to structure the country's first resilience bond. The project will also develop two high-quality private sector-led concept notes for submission to international funding sources and implement a 'Train-the-Trainer' program for extension agents to promote climate-smart agriculture (CSA).

The IAI's updated policy mandates that all data and publications from IAI-funded projects be open and accessible, adhering to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and CARE (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, Ethics) principles. The policy expands the institute's commitment to include open access for publications as well as data. Key implementation measures include the use of Data Management Plans (DMPs), the IAI Harvard Dataverse Repository, and the GBIF platform for biodiversity data. Between 2020 and 2025, the IAI reported a 600% increase in the number of databases in its open data catalog. The 2025-2030 implementation plan focuses on training research teams, supporting regional open data networks in Latin America and the Caribbean, and increasing the capacity of end-users to reuse scientific information.

The IAI's Open Data and Science Working Group has developed an updated Open Access to Data and Publications Policy to align with global Open Science movements. The policy mandates that all data and publications from IAI-funded research be open, adhering to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and CARE (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, and Ethics) principles. The report details progress in training 12 research teams and a 600% increase in the open data catalog from 2020 to 2025. It also outlines an implementation plan for 2025–2030 focused on increasing regional capacity for data reuse and supporting Indigenous data governance.

The IAI Executive Directorate is currently operating from provisional offices in Panama's City of Knowledge, with permanent offices expected to be fully functional following the formalization of a Headquarters Agreement with SENACYT. Financial operations remain based in Uruguay pending the opening of a bank account in Panama.

The proposal seeks USD 1,499,987 to address climate vulnerabilities in Paraguay's water sector, which is ranked as the second most vulnerable sector nationally. The project aims to create a comprehensive National Adaptation Plan on Water Resources (NAP WR) by overcoming five key barriers: insufficient integration of climate considerations, limited institutional coordination, poor stakeholder engagement, lack of standardized water data, and limited climate resilience investments. Key activities include developing a governance framework, conducting vulnerability studies in two selected watersheds, creating a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, and formulating a long-term financing strategy involving the private sector. The project will be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) over 24 months, with a strong focus on gender equality and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples.

The Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the operational arm of the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), provides long-term concessional loans to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to implement macro-critical climate reforms. While the RSF creates fiscal space and improves investment conditions, its impact is often hindered by limited engagement with sectoral ministries, overlapping climate initiatives, and inconsistent coordination with development partners like the World Bank and regional development banks. The document recommends institutionalizing inter-ministry platforms, aligning RSF reforms with national climate plans, and utilizing joint diagnostic tools. It also highlights the role of IMF Climate Finance Roundtables in aligning investments with national priorities, though these have yet to mobilize significant private capital. Case studies from Bangladesh, Barbados, and Senegal illustrate both the potential and the challenges of these coordination mechanisms.

Amazon deforestation reduces rainfall and river flow, leading to significant energy and revenue losses for Brazil's largest hydroelectric plants. Together, Itaipu and Belo Monte lose an estimated 3,780 GWh of generation potential annually, equating to approximately US$ 200 million in lost revenue. The report emphasizes the need to integrate forest conservation and restoration policies with energy security strategies to protect the national electricity mix.

The document outlines the process for renewing or filling memberships for the IAI's Science Advisory Committee (SAC) and Science Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) ahead of the 33rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-33) in May 2025. It recommends the renewal of specific members based on their contributions and specifies the scientific and professional criteria required for new nominees, with a particular emphasis on addressing the underrepresentation of Central America and the Caribbean.

The document provides guidance for the nomination and re-nomination of members to the IAI's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and Science and Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). It recommends the renewal of mandates for several current members and specifies criteria for new candidates, emphasizing scientific excellence, international recognition in the Americas, and a need for better representation from Central America and the Caribbean. Nominations are due by April 28, 2025, with elections scheduled for May 29-30, 2025, during CoP-33 in Asunción, Paraguay.

The document reports that as of March 31, 2025, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research had received 78% of the approved contributions for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. While overall expenses were 10% lower than budgeted, the Executive Directorate warns that delays in voluntary contributions significantly limit its operational capacity. The report also outlines projected voluntary contributions for the next three fiscal years, with the USA providing the largest share.

The IAI is requesting an operating budget of US$ 1.68 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which remains unchanged from the previous year. Preliminary requests for subsequent years show a gradual increase, reaching US$ 1.8522 million by 2027-2028. The budget is funded by contributions from member countries, with the USA providing the largest share. The IAI reports administrative adjustments to optimize spending and a reduction in IT costs following its move to Panama.

The statement argues that large-scale forest biomass energy is not carbon neutral and actively harms the climate, biodiversity, and human rights. It claims that current carbon accounting erroneously labels biomass as zero-emission, which masks the actual greenhouse gas releases and encourages deforestation. The document further asserts that biomass energy extends the lifespan of coal plants and diverts investment from truly low-emission renewables like wind and solar. It calls on governments and financial institutions to stop the expansion of the biomass industry and eliminate related subsidies in favor of forest restoration.

The document outlines a readiness and preparatory support proposal for Paraguay, implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). It addresses four primary barriers: limited coordination and monitoring of climate finance, the absence of a National Direct Access Entity, a lack of standardized green investment definitions, and insufficient climate integration in long-term development planning. Key interventions include training the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) in its role as the National Designated Authority (NDA), updating the GCF Country Programme and No-Objection Procedure, and supporting the AFD's GCF accreditation. Additionally, the project aims to pilot a Green Taxonomy, develop a Green Job Strategy, and establish a climate finance MRV platform to track domestic and international flows. The proposal emphasizes gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), targeting 50% women's participation in events and integrating GESI-disaggregated indicators into national planning.

Trend Asia warns that integrating biofuels into the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Global Fuel Standard would drive catastrophic environmental and social damage. The statement highlights that food- and feed-based biofuels, particularly those promoted by Brazil, are linked to land grabbing, deforestation, and life-cycle emissions that can exceed those of fossil diesel. It calls for the IMO to instead prioritize energy efficiency, wind assistance, and demand reduction to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The evaluation finds that while the GCF has a robust 'do-no-harm' policy framework, it is primarily treated as a compliance exercise rather than a strategic opportunity to empower Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Systemic barriers in the GCF's accreditation-based business model make direct access to resources nearly insurmountable for IPs. The report highlights inconsistent application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), limited integration of traditional knowledge, and a lack of portfolio-level monitoring for IP-specific results. It recommends establishing a dedicated IP-specific funding window and shifting the organizational culture from passive compliance to proactive engagement.

The livestock sector in Paraguay accounted for 50.3% of national emissions in 2021, with 76.2% of those emissions coming from enteric fermentation. The document argues that integrating livestock development with methane mitigation can help Paraguay meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030. Proposed strategies include improving productivity through genetic improvement and pasture management, enhancing knowledge management via demonstration units, and implementing incentive models such as green financial products and carbon markets. The workshop concluded with a call to form a multi-sectoral working group to develop a sector-wide strategy for reducing emissions intensity and enhancing efficiency.