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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate's mid-term report for the 2021-2022 intersessional period details progress in science, capacity building, and communication. Key achievements include the expansion of the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary (TD) Academy, and the securing of approximately 1.3 million Euros for a drought information project in the La Plata basin. The Directorate also reports contributions to the IPCC 6th Assessment Report and the development of climate-health tools in the Caribbean.

The report analyzes the transition to virtual meetings for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while virtual formats increased participation and reduced costs, they hindered informal networking. Survey results indicate a high level of satisfaction with the organization of CoP-29, though there is a noted need for better introductory materials for new participants and more frequent communication between sessions via Zoom and newsletters.

The IAI Executive Direction reports progress on transdisciplinary research, particularly regarding climate-sensitive infectious diseases in the Caribbean and drought monitoring in the La Plata basin. The report highlights the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program and the launch of the IAI Transdisciplinary Academy to improve the interface between science and public policy in the Americas.

The IAI Directorate has released draft reports for CoP-29 and EC-51 for participant review. CoP-29 representatives must submit comments by 12 September 2021, while EC-51 representatives are requested to provide feedback preferably 90 days before the 30th Conference of the Parties.

The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (CoP-29) resulted in the adoption of 17 decisions covering financial budgets, governance policies, and scientific initiatives. Key outcomes include the approval of a new Gender Policy, a Whistleblower policy, and the establishment of a working group for a national climate assessment initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed financial strains caused by a lack of voluntary contributions and updated the IAI Scientific Agenda.

The report details the administrative, financial, and scientific outcomes of the IAI's 29th Conference of the Parties. Key actions include the approval of the 2021-2022 operating budget, the adoption of a gender policy for projects, and the establishment of a working group for national climate assessments in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed the financial pressure caused by unpaid voluntary contributions and the need to combat predatory scientific publishing in the Americas.

This document is a participant list for the 29th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, which took place on 22-23 June 2021. It identifies representatives from member parties, advisory committee members, and observers from government agencies and scientific organizations.

The document outlines the operational framework for the IAI's Conference of the Parties, detailing the roles of participants, the structure of sessions, and the processes for electing the Executive Director and members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science and Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). It specifies that the CoP generally meets annually, operates primarily by consensus, and requires a quorum of half of the active Parties for plenary sessions. The rules also cover the management of agendas, the appointment of observers, and the procedures for amending both the internal regulations and the Agreement for the Creation of the IAI.

The IAI Scientific Agenda, adopted in June 2021, establishes a framework for scientific research on global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. It defines the primary objective of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) as advancing comparative studies that exceed national program scopes to improve the region's ability to sustain itself and cope with GEC. The agenda is structured around four interrelated research themes—human dimensions, climate variability, ecosystems/biodiversity, and atmospheric/oceanic modulations—and is designed to be revised every 3-6 years in alignment with the IAI's Strategic Plan.

The Standing Rules of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outline the operational framework for the IAI's governing body. The rules detail the accreditation of representatives, the annual scheduling and hosting of conferences, the preparation of agendas and background documentation, and the functions of the Bureau. It specifies the requirements for a quorum, the procedures for debate and voting—emphasizing consensus but allowing for majority and two-thirds votes—and the establishment of various committees. Additionally, the document provides comprehensive protocols for the election and removal of the Executive Director and the selection of members for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), emphasizing disciplinary, geographic, and gender diversity.

The document outlines the operational regulations for the IAI's Executive Council, including the election of its nine members, the scheduling of pre- and post-Conference of the Parties (CoP) meetings, and the procedures for voting and agenda setting. It defines the roles of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and various ad hoc commissions, while specifying that decisions are generally made by consensus or majority vote.

The STeP Fellowship Program, managed by the IAI, focuses on bridging the gap between science and policy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Between July 2020 and June 2021, the program conducted 20 virtual training sessions and established a joint inter-American group of 20 fellows with Mitacs Canada and AAAS. Current cohorts focus on sustainable agriculture in Argentina and sustainable cities in Mexico, with plans to expand into biodiversity and disaster risk mitigation. The program also seeks strategic partnerships, including negotiations with Chile's National Congress and the US Embassy in Peru.

The IAI Directorate is participating in a two-year Interacademy Partnership initiative to define, measure, and address the impact of predatory academic journals and conferences. A global survey of over 1,800 researchers indicates that 11% have published in predatory journals and 4% have attended predatory conferences, with over 80% of respondents viewing these practices as a serious or growing problem. The initiative aims to identify root causes—such as lack of awareness and career pressures—and provide recommendations to prevent the erosion of public trust in research and the spread of misinformation in public policy. A full report is expected in late 2021.

The IAI is launching a Regional Assessment to map the global change policy and decision-making landscapes of its member countries. By identifying specific decisions impacted by global environmental change (GEC) where science information is lacking, the IAI aims to align its research funding and collaboration efforts with the actual needs of the Parties. The process involves scoping workshops, electronic surveys, and interviews, with a final report expected by May 2022.

The IAI report for the 2020-2021 fiscal year indicates that only 57% of approved contributions were received by April 30, 2021, with 8 countries delayed by more than three years. Total expenditures from July 2020 to February 2021 were $777,655, which was 16.7% lower than the budgeted $933,333, primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel and physical meetings. The report also notes that contributions remaining at $5,000 since 1992 have lost approximately 89% of their purchasing power.

This briefing document from the IAI Directorate updates the Conference of the Parties on the implementation of Decisions XXVIII/7 and XXVIII/8 regarding the invitation for Mitacs to become an Associate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

This briefing document from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) updates the Conference of the Parties on the implementation of Decisions XXVIII/7 and XXVIII/8 regarding the invitation of Mitacs Canada to become an Associate of the IAI.

This briefing document outlines the establishment of a whistleblower policy for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), as mandated by Decision XXVIII/5. The policy, integrated into the revised IAI employee handbook, provides a mechanism for staff to report wrongdoing to the IAI Executive Council with guarantees against retaliation. The document also includes the full text of the revised IAI Employee Handbook, detailing recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance reviews, and travel policies.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has developed a whistleblower policy to allow employees to report wrongdoing to the Executive Council. The policy provides protections against retaliation for good-faith reporting, outlines a specific timeline for investigation acknowledgments (5 and 15 days), and establishes disciplinary consequences for both retaliators and those who make maliciously false claims.

The IAI Directorate reported progress in aligning its Scientific Agenda with its Strategic Plan, incorporating revisions from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. Key scientific initiatives included transdisciplinary projects on vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and St. Lucia, and the development of a COVID-19 working group. The Directorate launched the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented in two countries, and established partnerships with Mitacs in Canada and the PAGES program. Efforts to bridge science and policy included a virtual workshop on drought policies for Southern South America and the creation of a fire monitoring platform for the triborder Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). The IAI also collaborated with the Belmont Forum on several Collaborative Research Actions (CRA) and published a special issue in the Journal Environmental Development on CRN3 results.