The journey of the Cyprus branch of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Cyprus) began in December 2019. It was co-founded by the Cyprus Research and Education Foundation (CREF), Frederick University, and Neapolis University Paphos, supported by a broad coalition of academic, research, and civil society organizations.

On June 12, 2020, the network was officially inaugurated in a landmark virtual ceremony. The event brought together close to 800 participants and featured high-level addresses from:

• H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, then-President of the Republic of Cyprus.
• Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, world-renowned economist and President of the UN SDSN.
• Dr. Costas Kadis, then-Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment.
• Prof. Angelo Riccaboni, Chair of SDSN Mediterranean.

Governance & Hosting

Today, SDSN Cyprus is hosted by the Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation (CREF) and is facilitated by The Cyprus Institute. The network serves as a vital bridge between the scientific community and national policy-making bodies to mainstream the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the heart of Cypriot society.

Leadership for the Future (2025–2026)

As of April 2025, the network significantly expanded its governance to reflect the diverse expertise required for a sustainable transition. The network is currently led by:

• Co-Chairs: Prof. Costas N. Papanicolas (The Cyprus Institute) and Ms. Natasa Frederickou (Frederick University).
• Network Managers: Ms. Stalo Gavrielidou and Dr. Constantinos Kounnamas.

The Leadership Council (LC) now comprises 24 distinguished members, providing a bi-communal and multi-sectoral approach to sustainability:

The SDSN Cyprus Leadership Council: Natasa Frederickou, Costas N. Papanicolas, Constantinos Kounnamas, Dr. Popi Kanari, Stalo Gavrielidou, Soula Zavou, Nicos Kyriakides, Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Petros Kareklas, Ioanna Panayiotou, Constantinos Yiorkatzis, Dr. Stylianos Yiatros, Xenia Loizidou, Charalambos Theopemptou, Leonidas Paschalides, Prof. Stavros Malas, Prof. Theodoros Zachariades, Serdar Atai, Mine Yucel, Prof. Manfred Lange, Dr. Nicolas Jarraud, Evelyn Kleanthous Komodromou, Nicos Nicolaides, and Dr. Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou.

Globally, SDSN promotes the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all U.N. Member States in 2015. The Agenda provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. It is headed and coordinated by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs. The global SDSN network was set up in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. It works closely with UN agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

SDSN Cyprus works with all sectors of society to improve the country’s performance in implementing the SDGs, collecting and disseminating best practices, raising awareness, promoting sustainable development education, engaging with youth, and assisting the authorities, the private sector and civil society organisations in mainstreaming the SDGs into their daily operations.