Project Description

On 15 May 2025, the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the University of Helsinki and the Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) Program of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Chinese Academy of Sciences, signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement aims to strengthen scientific collaboration in big data applications for sustainable development, especially across Belt and Road countries in Eurasia. It reaffirms the commitment to operate the DBAR International Center of Excellence (ICoE Helsinki) at INAR, with a focus on key SDGs: Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15).
Under the MoU, the partners will:
  • Conduct research using Earth observation to support SDG monitoring
  • Build regional partnerships and data-sharing networks
  • Provide decision-support tools and policy-relevant insights
  • Offer training, workshops, and fellowships for young scientists
  • Promote open science and interdisciplinary collaboration through the Digital SDG Programme (DSP)
ICoE Helsinki will also support the DSP initiative under the UN’s International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, with formal affiliation pending DSP governance review.
This partnership reflects a joint commitment to addressing global challenges through innovation, science, and cooperation.