Image: Professor Phoebe Koundouri, Founder and Scientific Director, Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aeiphoria (AE4RIA); 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, Executive Director of the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP), PVBLIC Foundation.
On February 5, 2025, the Partnership Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) convened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss transformative solutions for sustainable development. As part of this high-level dialogue, a side event hosted by PVBLIC Foundation, AE4RIA – Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aephoria, and the University of Cambridge explored how interdisciplinary, systems-based approaches can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Advancing Sustainability through Interdisciplinary Approaches
The panel discussion featured distinguished speakers, including 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 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.
Professor Phoebe Koundouri delivered a compelling speech emphasizing the role of systems-based, data-driven sustainability science. She highlighted how interdisciplinary research—integrating AI, climate science, and economics—has successfully influenced policy and accelerated SDG implementation. She also underscored the transformative potential of digital twins, AI, and big data in bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world impact.
Key Takeaways and Calls to Action
Dr. Hyginus Gene Leon, in his remarks, emphasized that the economic future of SIDS and the Global South must be built on sustainability, resilience, and planetary stability. He highlighted the need to rethink finance, not just as a tool for supporting climate action but as a driver of new economic models that prioritize nature and equity. He stressed that the time for incremental change has passed and called for the urgent mobilization of financial, scientific, and policy collaboration at an unprecedented scale.
Ambassador Viliami Va’inga Tōnē reinforced that SIDS must be placed at the center of the global development agenda rather than being on the periphery. He reaffirmed that Tonga and the Pacific stand ready to lead in ocean governance, climate resilience, and sustainable finance. He also stressed that the future of sustainability must be shaped by those on the frontlines of climate change rather than dictated from a distance.
Moving Forward
The event reinforced the urgent need for integrated, data-driven, and nature-based financial solutions that empower vulnerable nations to access climate finance, strengthen resilience, and transition toward sustainable economies. As global leaders continue to push for reform in international financial systems, initiatives like those led by PVBLIC Foundation, AE4RIA, and the University of Cambridge will be critical in shaping innovative, equitable, and actionable solutions to meet the world’s most pressing challenges.
The momentum from this discussion will continue to drive collaboration, ensuring that the voices of SIDS and the Global South remain at the forefront of global sustainability efforts.
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