Building on AE4RIA’s role as the GEIDCO National Committee in Greece, Prof. Phoebe Koundouri traveled to Beijing,on 9 September 2025, to participate in high-level discussions on the global clean energy transition. She was accompanied by Dr. Ioannis Arampatzidis, a member of the AE4RIA team, who is currently working on energy modeling at the SDSN Global Climate Hub and AE4RIA, contributing critical expertise to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
On 26th September 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed discussions on establishing Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, aiming to meet global power demand with clean and green alternatives. To facilitate collaboration among governments, enterprises, financial institutions, think tanks, universities, and other stakeholders for GEI research, investment, and implementation, GEIDCO developed the first-ever “World of Energy Interconnection” (WEI) platform in the GEI field.
In 2025, Prof. Koundouri is linking Greece and the SDSN Global Climate Hub, which she chairs, to the global network of governments, industries, and academia working together to accelerate the clean energy transition, foster international cooperation, and drive sustainable energy innovation.
The establishment of the GEIDCO National Committee in Greece marks an important milestone, formally connecting Greece to a UN-accredited international network with over 1,300 members worldwide. This network advances clean energy transition, cross-border grid interconnection, and sustainable development, creating new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and technological innovation.
The 2025 Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) Conference, held in Beijing on September 9, opened with a keynote by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who outlined a vision for a green, low-carbon, and innovative energy future. He emphasized international collaboration, renewable energy development, smart grids, and clean energy R&D, highlighting the importance of energy access for developing countries. The conference brought together nearly 1,000 participants from over 100 countries, underscoring its global significance.
During her keynote speech on Energy and Meteorology Synergetic Development, Prof. Koundouri emphasized the importance of assessing national climate strategies within a global framework to ensure coherent progress toward climate neutrality. Her speech drew on insights from the recently launched report, An Integrated Assessment of the European National Commitments for Climate Neutrality (SDSN Global Climate Hub, June 2025), which assessed Europe’s 35 NECPs and provided 20 key policy recommendations.
At the Forum on Capacity-building, Training Practices, and International Cooperation, moderated by Alejandro Kilpatrick (UNFCCC), Prof. Koundouri joined a distinguished panel alongside:
-
Handy Sanjaya, Vice President, State Electricity Company of Indonesia (PLN)
-
Jacqueline Lam, Regional Director for Asia, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
-
Liz Nelson, Program Manager, Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), SDSN
-
Dr. Yin Bo, Deputy Division Director of Cooperation, Cooperation Bureau, GEIDCO
She discussed bridging capacity gaps in renewable energy, grid interconnection, and policy development—particularly in the Global South—and highlighted how digital learning platforms, virtual laboratories, and international knowledge-sharing initiatives can empower youth, local professionals, and vulnerable communities.
Prof. Koundouri also presented insights from two major works:
-
Twin Skills for the Twin Transition: Defining Green Digital Skills and Jobs (AE4RIA & Huawei) – emphasizing that green digital skills are a strategic investment for a net-zero future.
-
An AI-based skills mapping tool, connecting policy implementation needs with relevant education and training programs.
Finally, Prof. Koundouri met with Dr. Yuanbing Zhou, Deputy Secretary-General of GEIDCO, to discuss the Global Climate Hub, the Global Decarbonization Interconnection Corridor, capacity-building platforms, and globally coordinated adaptation and mitigation pathways—further advancing international collaboration toward a sustainable energy future.
