Better characterizing interannual to decadal scale climate variability and interactions is becoming increasingly important for climate change observations and modelling studies of anthropogenic climate change. For the first time, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be considering and presenting an assessment of near-term climate change – focusing on interannual to decadal variability - in its Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC AR5), due for release in 2013. To assess and document key issues and knowledge gaps associated with decadal scale climate variability and cross-scale interactions in a warming world, and key questions for future research, the International Commission on Climate (ICCL) of IAMAS/IUGG will hold timely an Expert Assessment Workshop on Decadal Climate Variability and Cross-Scale Interactions on April 16-17, 2013 in Beijing, China.