Expanding horizons for scientific engagement in Italy

The visit began with opening remarks by IIASA Director General Hans Joachim Schellnhuber and an overview of the Institute’s research mission, global scientific agenda, and longstanding ties with Italy. Italy holds a distinctive place in IIASA’s history as one of the founding members that signed the IIASA Charter in 1972 – a legacy highlighted during a presentation of IIASA’s evolution and international role.

Ambassador Pugliese and Counselor Staiano received a detailed briefing on the Institute’s activities from Schellnhuber and Deputy Director General Karen Lips, who outlined IIASA’s systems analysis approach, its neutrality in a rapidly shifting global landscape, and its role in fostering science diplomacy and evidence-based policy design. They also highlighted IIASA’s training programs and its wide international network of scientific collaboration.

The discussions showcased the breadth and depth of Italy-IIASA scientific engagement. Between 2020 and 2024, cooperation involved 42 staff and affiliates from Italy, 12 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) participants, 10 postdoctoral fellows, and 133 alumni. Over the same period, 33 Italian researchers and stakeholders visited IIASA, while 265 IIASA researchers traveled to Italy, resulting in extensive co-authorship and joint research outputs, including 265 publications co-authored with Italian institutions.

Italy’s research community collaborates with IIASA across a wide range of topics, from systemic risk assessment and urban ecosystem services to health and climate interactions, energy services for sustainable development, and population and human capital studies. Partnerships include leading institutions such as EURAC Research, the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), universities in Bologna, Florence, Venice, Pavia, Salento, Trento, Naples, and others, as well as major international bodies like the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Statistics Division in Rome.

Flagship joint initiatives were also discussed, including Italy’s long-term collaboration with IIASA on the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model, which supports integrated climate and air-quality strategies across 20 Italian regions, and EU-funded programs on energy efficiency and sustainable dietary transitions, where Italian partners play central roles. These examples illustrate the wide applicability of IIASA’s analytical tools to national and regional policy challenges.

“Italy has played a formative role in IIASA’s history, and its scientific institutions remain important contributors to addressing complex global challenges. Our exchange today reinforced the strong potential of our partnership to generate advanced systems-based insights that support informed decision making,” noted Schellnhuber.

Deputy Director General Karen Lips added: “Italian research teams are deeply engaged across many of IIASA’s programs from climate and energy to demographics and ecosystems. Building on this foundation offers valuable opportunities to deepen scientific exchange, expand training pathways, and enhance the analytical tools that underpin effective policy responses.”

The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continue cultivating Italy–IIASA scientific dialogue. Both sides expressed appreciation for the depth of past engagement and enthusiasm for advancing new avenues of joint research, training, and policy-relevant systems analysis in the years ahead.