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The IAI Science and Open Data Committee's 2024–2025 work plan focuses on three main objectives: updating the IAI Open Data Policy through participatory processes and best practice guidelines; enhancing the usability of data platforms, including the scientific publications repository and the Harvard Dataverse catalog; and supporting regional and global assessments, such as UN common country analyses and IPCC evaluations on cities and climate change.

This briefing document outlines the process for relocating the headquarters of the Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from Uruguay to Panama, following a decision by the Conference of the Parties on 26 March 2024.

The IAI Executive Directorate is relocating its headquarters to Panama following a decision by the Conference of the Parties on March 26, 2024. The transition involves drafting a Headquarters Agreement to be approved by the National Assembly of Panama, with the process expected to align with the new government taking office on July 1, 2024. To ensure operational continuity, the IAI has requested that its current diplomatic privileges and bank accounts in Uruguay be extended until July 31, 2025.

The IAI and COIBA-AIP have agreed to a five-year partnership to strengthen regional capacities for addressing global change. The cooperation focuses on biodiversity, climate change, and the inclusion of indigenous and local communities, with a specific emphasis on the Coiba National Park World Natural Heritage Site. Key activities include sharing technical information, developing joint funding proposals, and facilitating COIBA-AIP's participation in the Belmont Forum.

The IAI Executive Directorate is relocating its headquarters to Panama following a decision by the Conference of the Parties. The transition involves drafting a Headquarters Agreement to be approved by the National Assembly of Panama, with the process expected to proceed after the Panamanian general elections on May 5, 2024. To ensure operational continuity, the IAI has requested that its current facilities and diplomatic privileges in Uruguay remain active until July 31, 2025.

The IAI Directorate is relocating its headquarters to Panama following a decision by the Conference of the Parties. The transition involves drafting a Host Country Agreement to be approved by the National Assembly of Panama after the 5 May 2024 general elections. To ensure operational continuity, the IAI has requested that its headquarters in Uruguay remain operational, including bank accounts and diplomatic privileges, until 31 July 2025.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research reports that as of March 31, 2024, cash income reached 70% of approved contributions for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Total expenditures for the period from July 2023 to March 2024 were US$ 832,446, which is 10.8% lower than the budgeted US$ 933,333. The report highlights a significant loss in purchasing power for Parties maintaining contributions at the US$ 5,000 level and urges those in arrears to submit voluntary contributions to ensure the Executive Directorate can fulfill its mandate.

The 2024 Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on 26 March 2024, resulted in the consensus approval of Panama's proposal to host the IAI Directorate headquarters. The meeting included discussions on the transition from the current headquarters in Uruguay, with the IAI Executive Director requesting that operations remain active in Uruguay until July 2025 to ensure a smooth move. Panama's proposal was highlighted for its strategic location, potential for greater connectivity across the region, and increased engagement with Central America and the Caribbean.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) is a regional initiative designed to foster science-policy dialogue and collaboration in the Americas, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2023 and April 2024, the SDC established three priority pillars: Capacity Building, a Knowledge Hub, and Emerging/Evolving/Innovation Issues. Key achievements include the launch of a Science Diplomacy Training Program for Policy Makers, the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program, and the development of a specialized science diplomacy curriculum with the University of Sao Paulo. The SDC is also building a Knowledge Hub to map experts, bibliography, and events, while engaging in strategic partnerships with organizations such as AAAS, UNESCO, and DiploCientifica to secure funding and expand regional training.

Panama is proposing to host the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). The proposal highlights Panama's strategic geography, the infrastructure of the City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber), and the country's commitment to climate action and biodiversity conservation as key advantages. By relocating the headquarters from Uruguay to Panama, the IAI aims to overcome logistical limitations and increase engagement with the 16 non-member countries in the Americas, most of which are in Central America and the Caribbean. The proposal includes detailed commitments for office space, diplomatic privileges, and financial contributions for investment and annual operations.

The document asserts that zero-carbon electricity grids are possible and debunks myths regarding the need for fossil fuel backups or the risk of grid overload from renewables. It highlights that wind and solar costs fell by 55% and 85% respectively between 2010 and 2020, and that countries like Denmark, Portugal, and Uruguay are already demonstrating high renewable integration. However, a significant bottleneck exists in grid infrastructure, with 3,000 GW of renewable projects awaiting connection across several major economies. The briefing recommends a cross-sector approach integrating heating, cooling, and industry, alongside investments in digitalisation, storage, and cross-border interconnectors to ensure stability and efficiency.

This briefing document outlines the process for relocating the headquarters of the Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) following the Uruguayan Government's decision to terminate its Host Country Agreement.

The document outlines the process for relocating the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). Due to financial limitations, Uruguay notified the IAI on January 31, 2024, that it would terminate the Headquarters Agreement effective July 31, 2024. Panama expressed interest in hosting the Directorate in December 2023 and submitted a formal proposal on March 8, 2024, after being the only country to manifest interest. The briefing recommends that the Conference of the Parties approve Panama's proposal during its extraordinary meeting on March 26, 2024.

The IAI Science Advisory Committee (SAC) is seeking nominations from Parties to fill two vacancies occurring in June 2024, specifically for experts in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Economics and/or Development Studies. The committee emphasizes the need for international scientific recognition, academic excellence, and a commitment to balanced representation, noting a current underrepresentation of Central America and the Caribbean.

The IAI's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is seeking nominations for two vacancies arising from the expiration of mandates for Anahí Urquiza and Omar R. López in June 2024. The committee specifically seeks experts in Terrestrial Ecosystems (Natural Sciences) and Economics or Development Studies (Social Sciences), with a particular goal of increasing representation from Central America and the Caribbean. Nominations, including a CV, must be submitted by April 19, 2024, for election during the Conference of the Parties on May 22-23, 2024.

The report analyzes the sustainability-linked bond (SLB) market, finding that while it is diversifying, a high share of deals lack ambition and credibility. Key issues include partial GHG scope coverage, a lack of science-based targets, and poor post-issuance reporting. The report introduces the Climate Bonds SLB Database (SLBDB) to identify aligned deals and provides a best-practice checklist for issuers, emphasizing the need for material KPIs, transparent transition plans, and robust financial penalties.

The statement by Friends of the Earth International criticizes the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, highlighting its potential to accelerate deforestation and climate change while undermining small-scale farmers in both Europe and Latin America. It calls for a shift toward a people-centered trade model that prioritizes social rights and environmental sustainability over corporate profit, especially in light of the rise of climate-denying leadership in Argentina.

Friends of the Earth International opposes the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, asserting that it would accelerate deforestation and climate change while undermining small-scale farmers in Europe and Latin America. The statement highlights protests from European farmers and social movements in Latin America, and warns that the current administration in Argentina, led by climate-denier Javier Milei, further invalidates the agreement's sustainability claims. It calls for a shift in international trade policy toward a model centered on people's sovereignty, food security, and environmental protection.

The Institute for Economic Justice argues that South Africa's National Treasury has unnecessarily cut social spending by failing to mobilize available resources. The brief identifies significant revenue potential through the removal of regressive tax breaks for high earners, the introduction of wealth and financial transaction taxes, and the utilization of the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA). It recommends restoring the Corporate Income Tax rate to 28% and implementing a progressive Social Security Tax to fund social protections.

This briefing by Somos El Cambio explains the necessity of the energy transition, defined as phasing out fossil fuels in favor of renewable sources and more efficient energy use to mitigate global warming. It highlights the economic and environmental benefits of this shift, particularly for Latin America and the Caribbean, while emphasizing the need for fairness and equity to avoid repeating the extractivist patterns of the fossil fuel era.