Spyros Kouvelis

Spyros Kouvelis is a seasoned expert in foreign economic, environmental, and cultural affairs with a distinguished career in government and international organizations. He served as Greece’s Minister of State for Foreign Economic, Environmental, and Cultural Affairs (2009-2011), overseeing environmental and cultural diplomacy, economic, and energy policies. He was elected to the Hellenic Parliament in 2007 and re-elected in 2009. Between 2007-2009 he was Shadow Minister for Environment, Energy, and Planning.  

He leads the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition, advancing green energy collaboration with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Since 2018, Spyros has been a Senior Associate at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, representing its initiatives in Southeast Europe and the East Mediterranean. As an Advisory Board Member of Sustainable Investments Oman he supports the Fund’s work on sustainable food, energy, and health solutions across the MENA region. As a member of the EU Commission’s 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' Mission, he supports efforts to protect global aquatic ecosystems.

Spyros founded the Institute for Sustainable Development at the European Public Law Organization, a Permanent Observer at the UN General Assembly by the UN. As Chairman and Chief Advisor of Verimpact, he developed a framework aligning ESG assessments with UN SDGs. He also leads BabylonGardens, an Innovation Hub for urban green spaces, under which he holds two patents. Fluent in multiple languages, Spyros remains a key figure in global sustainability.