Thematic Session organized within the sidelines of the official sessions of the 34th Conference of the Parties of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (CoP-34).
2 June 2026, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (UTC – 5)
Jointly hosted by the Government of Jamaica and the Government of Colombia, organized in collaboration with the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), with contributions from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this thematic session aims to facilitate a dialogue among member countries of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research and regional partners on strategic approaches to strengthening scientific cooperation in the Americas and the Caribbean. The session will explore opportunities for developing shared tools and collaborative infrastructures—such as regional data platforms, interoperable climate information systems, and digital climate intelligence capabilities—that can support climate research, risk assessment, and evidence-based decision-making across the region.
The discussion will also consider how enhanced regional cooperation can contribute to greater scientific autonomy, promote sustainable financing for climate research, and strengthen the long-term resilience of scientific institutions and knowledge networks.
Description:
The Americas and the Caribbean are increasingly exposed to accelerating climate risks, including intensifying hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, sea-level rise, ecosystem degradation, and growing socioeconomic losses. These impacts are particularly critical for vulnerable regions, including small Island Developing States (SIDS), where climate variability and extremes pose significant threats to sustainable development, food security, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
At the same time, the global landscape of climate science cooperation is evolving. Political shifts and declining support for multilateral climate initiatives in some countries have begun to affect the stability of international research partnerships and financing. These developments highlight the importance of strengthening regional scientific cooperation mechanisms that allow countries in the Americas and the Caribbean to sustain research capacities, enhance knowledge production, and ensure continuity in climate science collaboration.
Advances in Earth system science, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and digital data infrastructures also offer new opportunities to transform how climate risks are monitored, understood, and managed. Leveraging these innovations through regional collaboration can contribute to more effective early warning systems, improved climate risk intelligence, and stronger science-policy interfaces.
Key topics
The session will explore themes that integrate priorities identified by IAI member countries:
Climate Extremes and Risk Intelligence
Advancing regional capacities to understand and quantify climate hazards, including extreme events, attribution science, and emerging systemic risks.
Digital Climate Intelligence and Data Cooperation
Strengthening regional collaboration in climate data sharing, artificial intelligence applications, high-performance computing, and climate information platforms that support early warning systems and decision-support tools.
Across these discussions, particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening science–policy interfaces and regional governance mechanisms, as well as exploring sustainable financing pathways and enhancing regional research capacity. These cross-cutting dimensions will inform all thematic areas, supporting more integrated, actionable, and regionally coordinated approaches to climate resilience across the Americas and the Caribbean.
Expected Outcomes
The session is expected to:
- Facilitate a strategic dialogue among IAI member countries and regional institutions on priorities for strengthening climate science cooperation.
- Identify opportunities for developing shared regional scientific tools and digital climate information infrastructures.
- Highlight pathways to enhance long-term sustainability and financing of climate research in the region.
- Contribute to strengthening collaborative scientific networks across the Americas and the Caribbean.
Format
The thematic session will be held over four hours and will bring together representatives from member countries of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, scientific institutions, regional organizations, and policy stakeholders. The session will include short framing interventions followed by moderated discussions aimed at identifying strategic priorities and opportunities for collaboration
Rodney Martínez (Organización Meteorológica Mundial), David Smith (The University of the West Indies), Michael Taylor (The University of the West Indies), Jhordanne Jones (The University of the West Indies), Paola Arias (University of Antioquia, Colombia), Julio León (IDEAM, Colombia), Christopher Record (National AI Task Force, Jamaica), Jonathan Hodge (Centre for Earth & Space, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez), Elizabeth Patiño (IDEAM, Colombia), Toshiyuki Yamasaki (Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research – APN), Rose-Ann Smith (The University of the West Indies), Edgar Salinas (Latinamerica and the Caribbean Development Bank – CAF), Julian Prieto (University of Toronto), Miguel Fernández (FONPLATA), Mirey Atallah (UNEP) and Catalina Jaime (Risk-informed Early Action Partnership).
