On February 5, 2025, the Partnership Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. As part of this global dialogue, the side event, hosted by AE4RIA – Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aephoria, PVBLIC Foundation, and the University of Cambridge, explored how interdisciplinary, systems-based approaches can accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
During the panel discussion, Prof. Phoebe Koundouri had the privilege of engaging with H.E. Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, Ambassador of Tonga to the U.S. and Permanent Representative to the UN, and H.E. Dr. Hyginus Gene Leon, Ambassador-at-Large for Saint Lucia and Former IMF Senior Official. The session was moderated by Ashaki Goodwin, Director of Government Affairs at PVBLIC Foundation. Together, they examined how AI, climate science, data science, engineering, and sustainable finance can shape policies and economic strategies, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Global South.
In her speech, Prof. Koundouri focused on systems-based, data-driven sustainability science and how interdisciplinary research—integrating AI, climate science, and economics—has successfully influenced policy and accelerated SDG implementation. She highlighted the transformative role of digital twins, AI, and big data in bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world impact. Additionally, she shared insights on the ongoing work of AE4RIA and the SDSN Global Climate Hub in driving transformative sustainability solutions.
A summary of the key insights from the panel, “Transformative Systems Science for SDG Acceleration,” will soon be available on the 2025 ECOSOC website.
