On December 4, 2024, the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), in collaboration with AE4RIA, hosted a webinar titled "Science for Human Security: Measuring Sustainability." This event was part of WAAS's ongoing series exploring the role of science in promoting human security and sustainable development.

The webinar began with an introduction by Nebojsa Neskovic, Vice President of WAAS, who highlighted the launch of the Earth-Humanity Coalition in April 2024—a collaboration co-founded by WAAS and UNESCO to advance global sustainability efforts.

Prof. Phoebe Koundouri, Trustee of WAAS and Director of AE4RIA, moderated the session and provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in measuring sustainability at various scales. She emphasized the importance of accurate metrics to track progress, enhance accountability, and drive effective actions toward global sustainability.

As part of this WAAS Talks series, Prof. Barış Salihoğlu, Director of METU CLIMATE and METU IMS, presented "Integrating Regional Sea Innovations for Human Security: One Health, Digital Twin Oceans, and Multipurpose Platforms." In his talk, he focused on the intersection of ocean science and human security, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, environmental, and animal health as a means to enhance resilience in the seas and oceans.

The initiatives presented align with the goals of the H2020 BRIDGE Black Sea and BlackSeaCONNECT projects, both of which focus on advancing sustainability, resilience, and innovation in the Black Sea region. By integrating cutting-edge research with actionable solutions, METU CLIMATE and the METU Institute of Marine Sciences continue to play a crucial role in global efforts toward sustainable development and human security.

For more details, visit the WAAS Talks Series page here.

The full webinar recording is available here.