IIASA is excited to announce that Greece has joined the Institute effective from 1 June 2026 through the Academy of Athens, Greece’s national academy and the highest research establishment in the country.
The addition of Greece strengthens IIASA’s global network of member organizations and opens new opportunities to address some of the most pressing challenges facing societies today, including climate change, energy security, sustainability, resilience, and evidence-based policymaking. It also reinforces IIASA’s role as a platform for international scientific cooperation and science diplomacy.
“From the time of Plato and Aristotle, Greek thought helped establish the enduring nexus between philosophy, science, and public decision-making that continues to shape how societies understand and address complex challenges,” says IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber. “As the IIASA National Member Organization, the Academy of Athens will contribute outstanding scientific expertise, a strong science-policy mandate, and deep knowledge of the Mediterranean region. We are delighted to welcome Greece into the IIASA network and look forward to deepening our partnership in areas ranging from climate resilience and energy systems to sustainable development and digital transformation.”
The Academy of Athens and IIASA have been exploring opportunities for closer cooperation since 2024, building on a long tradition of engagement between Greek researchers and IIASA scientists. Effective from June 2026 for an initial period of five years, Greece’s membership reflects a shared commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and generating knowledge that supports decision-making on complex global challenges.
“The Academy of Athens welcomes Greece’s accession to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, one of the world’s leading organizations for scientific cooperation and science diplomacy. As the National Member Organization representing Greece, the Academy looks forward to strengthening the country’s participation in the development of integrated scientific approaches to challenges that transcend the boundaries of any single nation or scientific discipline. IIASA’s mission of transforming science into actionable knowledge for policymaking is completely aligned with the Academy’s enduring role in the service of society and humanity,” says Costas Synolakis, Secretary of the Division of Natural Sciences at the Academy of Athens.
The Academy of Athens plays a key role in supporting evidence-informed policymaking in Greece and represents the country in European and international academic networks. Its long-standing strengths in climate and atmospheric sciences, environmental change, energy and sustainability, natural hazards, and policy-relevant social sciences closely align with IIASA’s interdisciplinary research agenda.
“On behalf of the IIASA Council, I warmly welcome Greece to our international community,” says IIASA Council Chair Kazu Takemoto. “Greece’s rich scientific tradition, strong research institutions, and commitment to addressing sustainability challenges through science make it an excellent addition to IIASA. This membership will create valuable new opportunities for knowledge exchange, joint research, and policy engagement.”
Greece occupies a unique geopolitical and scientific position at the crossroads of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the wider region. As a member of the European Union and an active participant in international scientific and policy initiatives, the country brings valuable perspectives and networks that will contribute to IIASA’s mission of advancing systems analysis for the benefit of society.
Greek researchers have already established close ties with IIASA across multiple research domains, particularly in energy systems, climate change, sustainability transitions, and resilience. Recent joint initiatives have included projects such as Urban ReLeaf, Pathways2Resilience, ForestNavigator, GRANULAR, EYE-CLIMA, SystR, and SpongeWorks, involving partners from leading Greek universities, research institutes, municipalities, and public-sector organizations.
Together with the Academy of Athens and partners across Greece, IIASA looks forward to advancing research, informing policy, and developing solutions to challenges at the national, regional, and global levels.
News
06 June 2025
IIASA Director General at the Fifth Delos Global Gathering
IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber joined leading voices for this year’s Global Delos Gathering, part of the visionary ALPHA MISSION ΔELOS 2025 initiative. Held on the Greek island of Delos, this two-day event was marked by forward-looking dialogue on the ecological and ethical challenges of humanity’s future.
24 January 2025
Delegation from Greece visits IIASA to explore further collaborations
On 23 January 2025, IIASA was honored to receive a high-level delegation from Greece, visiting to learn about the institute’s research on wildfires, urban planning, wind and solar energy, as well as to explore opportunities for future collaboration.
25 January 2023
Driving inclusive and green urban transitions
A new Horizon Europe project led by IIASA called Urban ReLeaf leverages citizen science for public sector innovation.