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The IAI Communications Task Force reviewed its progress from 1997 to 1999, noting the publication of annual reports, brochures, and the Agreement of Montevideo, alongside the creation of an independent homepage. While the Task Force considers its initial mandate addressed, it recommends extending its work for one year to develop a long-term communications strategy and impact assessment mechanisms. Specific future actions include optimizing the IAI homepage, conducting a newsletter reader survey, and exploring cost-reduction measures for the Annual Report, such as publishing in Brazil.

The IAI Executive Committee met in Uruguay to approve 14 research proposals under the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN) program and establish a working group for the Program to Expand Scientific Capabilities in the Americas (PESCA), with the US committing $300,000 annually for five years. The meeting addressed financial challenges, including $83,000 in unpaid member contributions, and the need for better dissemination of scientific results from the ISP I and II projects. The committee also approved terms of reference for funding working groups and discussed future education and training strategies for the hemisphere.

The report details the outcomes of the IAI's Initial Scientific Program (ISP), noting its role in stimulating cooperative global change research across the Americas through funding, student training, and peer-reviewed publications. It also outlines the transition to the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN) program, which provides up to $200,000 per year to research consortia. Of 70 pre-proposals received for the CRN, 33 were selected to submit full proposals, with a final estimate of 45 feasible proposals including those from the IAI Start-Up Program.

The IAI Director's report details the institute's growth to 18 member countries by March 1998 and the administration of its Initial Science Program (ISP) and Climate Research Network (CRN). Key programmatic highlights include a strong funding focus on ENSO and interannual climate variability, the establishment of a Core Group for Caribbean countries, and partnerships with organizations like NOAA, NASA, and the WMO. The report also outlines financial strategies through Joint Funding Resource Agreements (JFRA) and the development of a Summer Training School at the University of Miami.

The document reviews the IAI's progress since 1995, noting an increase in member countries and the implementation of collaborative research programs. It identifies a critical dependency on US government funding via NSF grants and outlines a strategy to diversify financial sources, increase participation from new member countries, and enhance regional capacity building through targeted scientific projects and training.

The document details the governance rules and current composition of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and presents a list of nominees for three vacancies to be filled during the June 1998 Conference of the Parties meeting in Arlington, USA. It specifies that the SAC is the principal scientific advisory organ of the Institute, consisting of ten members serving three-year terms. For the upcoming election, the SAC has recommended candidates across three specific areas of expertise: Economic Impacts of Global Environmental Change, Oceanography, and Integrated Assessment of Global Change & Training and Education.

Between October 1997 and January 1998, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and partners conducted three regional workshops in Lima, Peru; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Fortaleza, Brazil. These meetings aimed to use probabilistic seasonal forecast information to reduce socioeconomic disruption caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The workshops involved climate scientists and stakeholders from sectors such as health, agriculture, and fisheries to create regional precipitation forecasts and design pilot application projects. Specific forecasts for the 1997-98 period predicted above-normal rainfall for coastal Ecuador and northern Peru, while predicting drier than normal conditions for most of northeast South America, including northern parts of Northeast Brazil.

The IAI ISP-II Grant Policy Guidelines outline the legal, financial, and technical requirements for grantees receiving funding for global change research. The guidelines specify that grants are one-time awards for 1-3 years, with annual funding contingent on satisfactory scientific and financial reporting. Key administrative rules include a prohibition on overhead charges, strict requirements for reporting changes in project scope or personnel, and a data policy emphasizing the creation of high-quality, accessible long-term data sets. Financial management requires a separate bank account in the name of the grantee institution and annual cash-basis financial reporting.

The IAI Program Plan for 1998-1999 establishes goals to advance scientific programs, build regional capacity, and enhance the participation of scientists and countries in the Americas. The plan includes a budget of funded activities, such as graduate and postdoctoral training in Brazil and Mexico, and the development of climate forecasts. Future initiatives include CO2 monitoring in the Amazon Basin and the Pan-American Climate Information System (PACIS) for disaster preparedness.

The Fifth Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP) focused on updating the institute's scientific agenda, approving administrative budgets, and expanding financial resources. Key outcomes included the re-election of Director Armando Rabuffetti, the establishment of the Program to Expand Scientific Capacity in the Americas (PESCA), and the approval of a revised scientific agenda covering climate variability, ecosystem studies, atmospheric composition, and integrated assessments. The meeting also saw the election of a new Executive Committee and the signing of funding agreements with Argentina and Brazil.

The fourth meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP) resulted in several administrative and strategic approvals, including the adoption of a modified Scientific Agenda, the Phase II Program, and the 1997/98 Basic Budget. The CoP established an indirect cost policy allowing up to 10% overhead and elected four new members to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). Additionally, the meeting coordinated future sessions, with the United States agreeing to host the fifth CoP and seventh Executive Council meeting in early 1998.

The IAI's core budget proposal for the 1996/7 fiscal year outlines a total expenditure plan covering personnel, travel, and other operational costs. While a deficit of US$ 125,000 is forecast for Year 2, the IAI intends to cover this using US$ 260,000 in unspent contributions from previous years. The proposal includes requests for a new Budget and Fiscal Policy Working Group and the establishment of a cost-of-living adjustment mechanism for international staff based in Brazil.

The CoP-II meeting focused on establishing the institutional infrastructure of the IAI, including the election of its first Director, Dr. Armando Rabuffetti, and the approval of a basic budget of US$570,000. Key outcomes included the adoption of the Host Country Agreement with Brazil, the approval of the Initial Scientific Program (ISP), and the establishment of a policy for the open exchange of scientific information. Member nations provided updates on national climate initiatives, and the meeting concluded with the election of three additional members to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

The agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) defines the operational status of the IAI headquarters in Brazil. It grants the IAI juridical personality and establishes extensive immunities for its premises, funds, and archives, protecting them from search, requisition, or execution. The Brazilian government provides specific physical facilities at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), including office space, equipment, and administrative staff. The agreement also outlines diplomatic privileges and immunities for the IAI Director and staff, including tax exemptions and freedom of movement, while requiring the IAI to respect Brazilian laws and cooperate with local authorities.

The agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) defines the operational status of the IAI headquarters in Brazil. It grants the IAI legal personality, tax exemptions, and inviolability of its premises and archives. The Brazilian government provides specific office space and equipment at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), along with administrative support and diplomatic privileges for the Executive Director and international staff.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research outlines policies for the sharing, preservation, and accessibility of global change data. Key principles include the requirement for high-quality, long-term data sets, free access to IAI-funded results for scientific purposes, and the use of international standards for data exchange. The policies also address the preservation of critical data through a clearinghouse process and the limitation of data costs to the marginal cost of fulfillment.

The document outlines the IAI's commitment to the open exchange of global change data, specifying that data from non-IAI funded activities may be shared by mutual agreement. It establishes that third-party use of real-time IAI data requires authorization, allows principal investigators to request limited exclusive use periods, and mandates that data be provided at the lowest possible marginal cost. Additionally, it requires data archives to be accessible with quality assessments and encourages the use of international standards for data processing.

The Standing Rules of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research define the operational framework for its governing body. The rules detail the composition of the CoP, including the role of permanent Representatives and observers, and set the requirements for regular and special meetings. It outlines the process for agenda setting, the structure of the Bureau, and the establishment of committees, such as the Credentials Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee. Voting procedures are specified, generally requiring a majority vote, with secret ballots reserved for the election or removal of the Director and members of the Executive Council and Scientific Advisory Committee. The document also provides protocols for electing the Director, amending the standing rules, and amending the Institute's Agreement.

The document is a directory of delegations, observers, and secretariat staff attending the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in September 1994. It lists representatives from various national governments, scientific institutions, and international organizations, including the National Science Foundation and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research.

The IAI/IC White Paper on Financial Issues outlines the administrative and fiscal framework for the IAI, recommending its registration as an international nonprofit organization and establishing a core budget for its first year and subsequent typical years. It details a management structure involving an Executive Council (EC) and Conference of the Parties (CoP), proposes the use of U.S. dollars as the official currency, and suggests contracting a consulting firm to develop comprehensive personnel and staffing manuals. The document also defines the expected contributions from host countries, including facilities and support staff, and outlines the process for a Donor Session to secure three-year funding commitments.