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The IAI Executive Directorate reported progress in its strategic plan during 2020-2021 despite COVID-19 challenges. Key achievements include the launch of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the development of a revised scientific agenda incorporating feedback from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia, and the execution of transdisciplinary projects on climate-driven vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The IAI also expanded its partnerships with the Belmont Forum, Wellcome Trust, and Mitacs Canada, while contributing to the IPCC's chapter on Central and South America.

The IAI Directorate reports that while COVID-19 delayed some actions requiring international travel, activities remain aligned with the Strategic Plan. The document introduces a comprehensive framework of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and leading/lagging metrics to measure organizational performance across themes such as fundraising, open data, capacity building, and science priorities. It also recommends delaying the triennial revision of the Strategic Plan to the 2023-2024 intersessional period to coincide with the term of a new Executive Director.

The IAI and PAGES have agreed to collaborate on the "International mobility research Fellowship Program for Latin American and Caribbean early career scientists on past global changes". The program targets PhD students in their final stages or postdoctoral researchers who are citizens of Latin American or Caribbean countries. Eligible candidates must conduct research in a host institution within Latin America or the Caribbean that is not their home country, focusing on topics within the scope of PAGES. The program aims to promote collaborative research, open science, and a better understanding of Earth's past climate to inform future projections and sustainability strategies. IAI is responsible for financial management and reporting, while both entities collaborate on the call for applications and the selection of awardees. The program intended for the first fellows to begin their mobility in early 2022.

This briefing document, prepared by the Chair of the Executive Council (EC), outlines the process for the annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for the 2020-2021 intersessional period.

This briefing, prepared by the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), presents a proposed Gender Policy for IAI scientific projects and activities. The policy aims to ensure gender equality in research and capacity building, recognizing that gender is a social construct and not binary. It establishes five primary objectives to promote regional leadership in gender equality, integrate gender dimensions into science, eliminate selection biases, create inclusive research environments, and develop gender-focused training.

The joint report by the SAC and SPAC details their collaborative activities between sessions, including the revision of the IAI Scientific Agenda, the editorial process for a CRN3 special edition, and the creation of working groups focused on COVID-19, strategic plan indicators, and regional assessment models.

The document presents the revised Standing Rules of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), updated in 2021 to accommodate virtual meetings via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The document outlines the governance, membership, and operational procedures of the IAI Executive Council, including the transition to virtual meetings.

The IAI Standing Committee for Rules and Procedures has proposed revised Standing rules for the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to accommodate virtual meetings via videoconferencing, necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report includes the full text of the proposed revised rules governing participants, voting, elections, and administrative procedures.

The IAI Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures proposed a revised set of Rules of Procedure for the 29th Conference of the Parties (CoP-29) to address the need for virtual meetings. The revised rules establish protocols for participant accreditation, the organization of annual and extraordinary conferences, voting procedures, and the election of the Executive Director and advisory committees. Key updates include the explicit allowance for CoP meetings to be held via electronic videoconference systems when travel is restricted.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations for two vacancies on its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), to be filled during the 29th Conference of the Parties meeting on June 22-23, 2021. The SAC emphasizes the need for internationally recognized scientists with expertise in global change in the Americas, specifically highlighting a need for geographic balance in Central America, the Caribbean, and the tropical Andes, as well as gender and ethnic balance. Preferred areas of expertise include social sciences, traditional and indigenous knowledge, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and planetary health.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations for two seats on its Science Advisory Committee (SAC) to be filled at the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in June 2021. The SAC emphasizes the need for candidates with international recognition in global change science in the Americas, specifically calling for geographic, gender, and ethnic balance, with a particular focus on underrepresented regions such as Central America, the Caribbean, and the tropical Andes. Desired expertise includes social sciences, indigenous knowledge, climate change adaptation and mitigation, planetary health, and informatics.

The document analyzes the widespread eutrophication of Uruguay's aquatic ecosystems, identifying agricultural intensification as the primary driver of nutrient pollution, particularly phosphorus. It details how climate change exacerbates these symptoms and describes the public health risks posed by toxic cyanobacterial blooms, such as those from the Microcystis aeruginosa complex. The authors argue that current soil conservation practices, like no-till farming, may inadvertently increase soluble phosphorus runoff. They recommend a transition toward neutral or negative phosphorus balances, the use of catch crops, and a shift from a centralized to a decentralized, multi-actor water governance model to effectively mitigate the crisis.

The study analyzes the 'El Morro' catchment in Argentina, where the conversion of native forests to agriculture has led to rising water tables and the emergence of new streams. The authors identify five mechanisms of competition: plants taking water from streams via unsaturated uptake (mechanism 1), focalized saturated uptake in wetlands (mechanism 2), and distributed saturated uptake in forests (mechanism 3); and streams taking water from plants through streambed deepening (mechanism 4) and sediment deposition (mechanism 5). Findings indicate that while unsaturated uptake previously suppressed streamflow, current high water tables have made saturated uptake by forests and wetlands significant, though deepening streams are now actively reclaiming water by lowering local water tables.

The report details the proceedings of the 50th meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held via videoconference on 19 August 2020. The meeting focused on implementing decisions from the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-28) and discussing the feasibility of virtual meetings.

The IAI CoP-28 meeting focused on administrative governance, financial stability, and the expansion of institutional partnerships. Key outcomes included the approval of the 2020-2021 operating budget and the 2021-2023 preliminary request, the election of a new Executive Council led by the United States, and the invitation to the Canadian non-profit Mitacs to become an Associate of the Institute. The meeting also established new mandates for the Executive Council to conduct annual performance evaluations of the Executive Director and for the IAI to develop a gender policy and a whistleblower mechanism. Notably, the Parties deferred approval of the IAI Scientific Agenda to allow for further member contributions before CoP-29.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) announced the election results from its 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-28) held on 19 August 2020. The Executive Council for 2020–2022 includes Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, the United States, and Uruguay, with the United States serving as Chair. Additionally, the document lists the newly elected members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), including their respective areas of expertise and institutional affiliations.

The document is a participant list for the 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, dated 19 August 2020. It identifies representatives from various member nations and the chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

The 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research approved the operating budgets for 2020-2021 and 2021-2023, as well as the auditors' report. The meeting established a requirement for annual performance evaluations of the Executive Director and mandated the development of a whistleblower mechanism in the employee manual and gender policies for projects. Additionally, the Conference invited Mitacs in Canada to become an associate of the Institute.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research has received nominations for two SAC vacancies from Argentina, Brazil, Jamaica, and Mexico. Accredited Parties are invited to vote for two candidates via email by 19 August 2020, while other SAC and SPAC elections will be conducted during the virtual CoP-28 on the same date.