The 80th UN General Assembly and Climate Week NYC created a global hub for discussions on peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “international cooperation is not naïveté, but realism. In a world where threats cross borders, isolation is an illusion.” He underlined that no country can face a pandemic or the climate crisis alone and called on states to reaffirm the value of international law, multilateralism, justice, and human rights.
In the same spirit, official UN communiqués highlighted the need to strengthen international cooperation for peace and security, ensure fair financing for sustainable development, and reform the Organization to meet contemporary challenges. Climate Week convened governments, international organizations, businesses, universities, and civil society—underscoring the urgency of faster decarbonization, a just green transition, and the use of innovation and scientific knowledge to chart a collective path toward resilient and equitable societies.
Within this international context, the Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aephoria (AE4RIA), led by Professor Phoebe Koundouri, participated actively in numerous events, bringing the voice of science, innovation, and education.
A special international distinction was announced: Professor Phoebe Koundouri was appointed by the UN Secretary-General as Co-Chair of the Independent Group of Scientists that will draft the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report. This report—considered pivotal as the last before 2030—will guide governments, the private sector, and civil society in decision-making. The Group comprises scientists from all regions and across the full spectrum of the social and natural sciences. Its first meeting has already taken place in New York, with support from UNESCO, UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank.
High-level interventions and collaborations followed. At the high-level conference on UN Charter reform, hosted by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), discussions focused on the role of the Security Council and financing for global public goods. At the SDSN Chair Meeting, the work of the European network—directed by Professor Koundouri—was presented in relation to global partnerships targeting climate neutrality and resilience. Special reference was made to reports of the SDSN Global Climate Hub (GCH), also directed by Professor Koundouri, which maps Europe’s national climate commitments, as well as to decision-support tools developed specifically for Greece. Subsequently, at the UN Foundation, a meeting was held to accelerate progress through stronger partnerships, while at the SDSN Leadership Council, topics included climate finance, education in Africa, and the outlook for global trade. In this context, the collaboration between the SDSN Global Climate Hub (GCH) and the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub (GIH) was announced to implement scientifically grounded, integrated pathways to climate neutrality.
In addition, during the PVBLIC Foundation’s Partnerships Day at the United Nations, Prof. Koundouri emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in shaping skills and presented AE4RIA’s AI tools (SDG Tracker and AI Skills Tool), which connect policy, education, and sustainability. In the “Water Security Now: Partnerships, Innovation, and Global Resilience” session at Climate Week NYC, she highlighted the need for systemic transformations for the SDGs and presented AE4RIA’s onboarding to the SustainChain digital platform. At the event “10 Years of the 2030 Agenda: Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives,” she underscored that only 17–18% of the SDGs are on track; and at “Food for Peace,” she showcased the work of AE4RIA and FABLE Greece on transforming global food systems.
The Greek team also took part in education-focused activities. At “Education for Peace & Planet: From Histories to Futures,” Professor Koundouri spoke about the Ages of Globalization program (supported by the AE4RIA team through the participation of the SDSN Greece host institution—Athena RC and AUEB—and the European project ARSINOE) and the importance of historical knowledge as a guide to solutions for today’s crises. Researcher Dr. Dimitris Raptis highlighted the importance of participatory learning and the role of the new generation as agents of change, while Communications Officer Mary Psilou presented the team’s activities and involvement in international initiatives and partnerships.
Finally, at the 15th UNFCCC GIH Systemic Innovation Workshop, Professor Koundouri opened the proceedings with a talk on the importance of mobilizing capital toward innovative climate solutions. The team’s contribution focused on new financial instruments capable of supporting the large-scale deployment of actions for climate neutrality and resilience.
