The structure of the IAI
THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP)
The CoP comprises the 19 Parties in the Americas ratifying the Montevideo Agreement. As the IAI’s principal policymaking organ, it establishes, reviews, and updates the Institute’s policies and procedures and evaluates its work and accomplishments. It also reviews and approves the IAI’s Scientific Agenda, annual and long-range plans and financial budgets.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC)
The EC is composed of nine member countries, who are elected by the Conference of the Parties for two-year terms. The Executive Council develops policy recommendations for submission to and approval by the Conference of the Parties and ensures that policies adopted by the Conference of the Parties are implemented by the Directorate.
THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC)
The SAC is composed of ten members elected by the Conference of the Parties for a three-year term. As the IAI’s principal scientific advisory body, it makes recommendations to the Conference of the Parties regarding the IAI’s Scientific Agenda, long-range plans, and annual program. It also directs the peer review system for evaluating scientific proposals and assesses the scientific results obtained from IAI’s funded science programs.
THE SCIENCE-POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SPAC)
The SPAC was established by the CoP in 2013 to provide advice to the CoP and the IAI Directorate regarding the application and design of science in policy and decision making. The initial composition of the Committee was approved by the CoP in 2014. This group was in charge of drafting the terms of reference of the committee as well as any other rules needed for its function.
IAI DIRECTORATE
The IAI Directorate is based in Montevideo, Uruguay and is run by the Executive Director of the IAI, who is elected by the Conference of the Parties and is responsible for the IAI programs and operations.
ASSOCIATES OF THE INSTITUTE
The Conference of the Parties may invite States outside the region, regional or international intergovernmental organizations, and industries and other non- governmental and private organizations interested in supporting the Scientific Agenda and programmatic activities of the Institute, to become Associates of the Institute.
Associates of the IAI are:
- AAAS: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- CIESIN: Center for International Earth Science Information Network
- CATHALAC: Centro del Agua del Trópico Húmedo para América Latina y el Caribe (Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America)
- Estación Coiba AIP
- FAPESP: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (São Paulo Research Foundation)
- Future Earth
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt / Alexander von Humboldt Research Institute of Biological Resources
- Mitacs
- Rede Clima