Date: June 27, 2025
Time: 09:00 AM – 15:00 EEST
Location: Athens University of Economics and Business “Eleftherios Venizelos” Ceremony Hall | Athens, Greece
Participation in the conference is free of charge but subject to mandatory registration due to limited seating capacity.
We encourage all interested participants to register early to ensure availability.
The International Conference on Sustainable Cities: Interdisciplinary Approaches will take place in Athens, Greece, on June 27, 2025, at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece. This global gathering aims to address the pressing challenges and opportunities urban areas face in the context of sustainability.
Concept note:
As urbanization accelerates worldwide, cities have become central to tackling climate change, promoting social equity, and ensuring economic resilience. The conference will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, focusing on the transition toward sustainable urban development.
The core objectives of the conference include a critical examination of the concept of sustainable cities and the growing importance of urban sustainability. Special attention will be given to identifying and addressing the financing gaps that hinder cities from achieving their sustainability goals. Participants will explore innovative financial mechanisms and investment strategies to support this transition. The event will also highlight the best practices and successful case studies from around the world, aiming to inspire scalable and context-specific solutions.
The conference will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including urban planners and city officials, representatives from financial institutions and investment bodies, environmental and sustainability experts, policymakers, academics, researchers, and delegates from international and European institutions. By fostering dialogue among these key actors, the event will help build a shared understanding of challenges and co-design actionable pathways toward sustainable urban futures.
Thematic Areas:
The agenda will feature interdisciplinary sessions around the following key themes:
- Climate Modelling & Atmospheric Physics
- Energy Systems & Energy Security
- Land Use & Food Security
- Marine Systems
- Public Health Systems
- Socio-Economic and Financial Systems
- Participatory Approaches for Pathways to Sustainable Cities
- Education, Upskilling, and Reskilling
Organizing Partners:
This conference is a joint initiative of leading academic, scientific, and policy institutions, including:
- World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS)
- European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA)
- Academia Europaea – Task Force on Environment, Sustainability and Climate
- Academy of Athens – Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology
- Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) – ReSEES Lab
- Athena Research Center – Sustainable Development Unit
- Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Αephoria (AE4RIA)
- Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
- UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub
The conference is additionally supported by SDSN Global Climate Hub, SDSN Europe, and SDSN Greece, which actively promote science-driven pathways for climate-resilient and sustainable urban development. Further support is provided through four major European research projects addressing regional climate resilience and systemic transformation:
- Horizon 2020 | ARSINOE: Climate Resilient Regions Through Systemic Solutions and Innovations
- Horizon 2020 | IMPETUS: Dynamic Information Management Approach for the Implementation of Climate Resilient Adaptation Packages in European Regions
- Horizon EU | Pathways2Resilience: Co-developing Pathways Towards Climate Resilient Regions in Europe
- HORIZON EU | CARMINE: Climate-Resilient Development Pathways in Metropolitan Regions of Europe
- ERASMUS+ | BuildSkills Academy: Academy for Transitional Skills in the Build Environment
Agenda Overview
The conference will bring together leading academics, global experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to discuss innovative, science-based, and finance-ready pathways toward sustainable and climate-resilient cities. The day will include:
- An Opening Session featuring institutional welcomes and a major international announcement
- Panel I on climate science, urban energy systems, and infrastructure for resilience
- Panel II on nature-based solutions, financing mechanisms, and upskilling for a just transition
- Final remarks synthesizing key messages and outlining next steps
- An interactive session featuring a live VR demonstration of public engagement tools