A trailblazer in AI, sustainability, and indigenous advocacy joins the council’s strategic vision

March 2025 — The South-South Cooperation Council for Sustainable Development (SSCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Vijay Karia as a new member of its Scientific and Academic Board. His inclusion marks a significant reinforcement of SSCC’s mission to integrate technological innovation with environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

Mr. Karia has actively collaborated with SSCC since the COP29 Summit in Baku, where his work on climate action and indigenous issues received international recognition. His insights have helped bridge the gap between digital transformation and sustainable development, offering new tools and ideas for inclusive global progress.

🌍 Innovation with Impact

Vijay Karia is the Co-founder and CEO of OptiCloud, a cutting-edge AI-driven cloud optimization platform that reduces digital waste, minimizes energy consumption, and contributes to global climate goals. With a bold mission to reduce cloud-related carbon emissions by over 1% worldwide, OptiCloud enables organizations to cut infrastructure costs by up to 60% while advancing sustainability.

His professional journey is deeply shaped by his multicultural roots—born to a refugee father from Uganda and a mother from Ecuador, Karia champions a global perspective rooted in justice, equity, and preservation. His dedication to protecting indigenous communities and ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest reflects the very ethos of SSCC: sustainability with soul.

"Mr. Karia brings a unique fusion of technology, climate ethics, and cultural advocacy to our board," said Viktor Sebek, President of SSCC. “His contributions are already helping redefine what inclusive and sustainable development means in the digital era.”

Karia was honored with the COP29 AI for Climate Action Award and is a frequent global speaker on AI for sustainability, cloud efficiency, and digital recycling. Beyond the tech sphere, he also serves on the Board of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, underscoring his belief in the transformative power of the arts as a complement to science and policy.

SSCC looks forward to deepening its collaboration with Mr. Karia as part of its broader strategy to empower new voices, promote indigenous wisdom, and ensure that technological progress respects the planet and its diverse cultures.