Spyridon Kouvelis

Director, Institute for Sustainable Development

European Public Law Organization (EPLO), Greece

Spyros served as Minister of State for Foreign Economic, Environmental, and Cultural Affairs in 2009-2011.  His duties included environmental and cultural diplomacy, economic and energy issues, development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.   First elected as Member of the Hellenic Parliament in 2007 and re-elected in 2009. During 2007-09 he was the Shadow Minister of Environment, Energy, and Planning for the leading opposition party.  Senior Associate of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) since 2018, acting as an ambassador of the programme in the South-East Europe and East Mediterranean regions, and teaching in selected programmes of the Institute.  Advisory Board Member of Sustainable Investments Oman since 2021, promoting cuttingedge technological innovations in the MENA region on food security, energy, and health.   Board Member of the EU Commission "Restore our Ocean and Waters" Mission since 2022, aiming to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments.  Founder and Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO), initially a joint initiative between CISL and EPLO, and since 2019 fully incorporated within EPLO, enjoying the status of International Organization and Permanent Observer of the UN General Assembly.    Chief Senior Advisor with VeRture, a European group of consulting companies on sustainable development policy, innovation, business development and new technologies, with a global portfolio of clients.   Developer the Verimpact methodology and algorithm for ESG assessment and certification, the first methodology to align ESG to the UN SDGs. He now leads the provision of strategy, assessment, and training services on ESG in many parts of the world.  Founder and holder of 2 patents with BabylonGardens, an Innovation Hub for Green Urban Spaces, with offices in France, Greece and Cyprus.     Senior Advisor to the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan for the Mediterranean Strategy on Sustainable development, and the Sustainable Consumption and Production Plan (Circular Economy) 2012-15.    Programme Director, Acting CEO of WWF Greece, and member of different international teams (water, EU Policy, agriculture etc.) between 1997-2001, and Coordinator of the Mediterranean Unit of the Ramsar Convention 2001-07.   President of Ecofilms, the International Film Festival of Rhodes 2004-07.   Born in Athens, Greece in 1964. He studied Economics at the University of Athens (BSc) and Agricultural/Environmental Economics at the University of Reading (MSc), and is fluent in Greek, English, French, and speaks some Italian and Spanish. Married, two daughters.