Economist Conferences – Greece
Reforming the state: Transformation of public administration in Greece
May 19th 2026 | Electra Palace, Thessaloniki, Greece
A new relationship with the citizens
Greece is entering a decisive phase in the reform and modernisation of its public administration, where efficiency, transparency and digital transformation are becoming central policy priorities. Strengthening institutional capacity and improving service delivery are key conditions for sustainable growth and for reinforcing the country’s position within a rapidly evolving European and international environment.
Within this framework, the Economist Impact event entitled “New Public Administration – A New Relationship with the Citizen” will explore how public administration reform is increasingly shaped by an outward-looking approach that emphasises knowledge exchange, international cooperation and the adoption of best practices. The role of international organisations, as well as structured partnerships with candidate countries and the private sector is essential in supporting effective governance and long-term institutional change.
The main pillars to be addressed during the conference include:
- Public administration at the core of national reform priorities
- Sharing experiences and common solutions for effective governance
- From knowledge transfer to sustainable institutional change
- The role of international organisations in supporting public sector reform
- Enlargement through partnerships and cooperation with candidate countries and the private sector
In partnership with:
Ομιλητές
Shlomo Ben Ami
Former minister of foreign affairs, Israel, Vice-president
Yanna Andronopoulou
General manager
Kostas Axarloglou
Dean and professor of international business and strategy
Alexandros Bregiannis
Chief executive
Nikolaos Dendias
Minister of national defence
Panagiotis Doudonis
MP, head of national list
Nikos Efthymiadis
Chairman & CEO
Alexandros Exarchou
Chairman and chief executive
Agenda
Registration – Welcome coffee
Welcome and introduction:
Welcome and introduction:
Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The Economist’s The World Ahead
Eftichis Pallikaris, adviser, Powergame.gr
Opening remarks:
Stathis Konstantinidis, deputy minister of interior, responsible for Macedonia-Thrace, Greece
Konstantinos Zervas, mayor of Thessaloniki, Greece
THE GREEK GOVERNMENT’S NEW ECONOMIC POLICY
Keynote address:
Kostis Hatzidakis, minister for national economy and finance, Greece
Discussion
FINANCE, GROWTH AND RRF
● New employment benefits & Greece’s economy
● Fintech and economic growth: moving forward?
Adonis Georgiadis, minister of labour and social welfare, Greece
Konstantinos Kollias, president, Economic Chamber of Greece
Alex Katsaros, CEO, TopFX Group
Discussion
BUILDING DEPENDABLE ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS IN THE REGION
● Government strategy on energy projects
● An update from the Alexandroupoli FSRU project
● Energy security and supply in Europe in the current geopolitical landscape
Theodoros Skylakakis, minister of environment and energy, Greece (via connection)
Victor Parlicov, minister of energy, Moldova (via connection)
Shlomo Ben Ami, former minister of foreign affairs, Israel, vice-president, Toledo International Centre for Peace
● The business perspective
Teodora Georgieva, executive officer, ICGB
Discussion
GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES AND THE PATHWAY FOR FUTURE REFORMS
The Economist in dialogue with:
Akis Skertsos, minister of state, Greece (via connection)
Break
NORTHERN GREECE: A POTENTIAL TECH PIONEER AND HUB
● Greek youth as a game changer for Thessaloniki and beyond
● Policies, resources and incentives ● The new tech hub: how much progress has been made?
● Digital nomads are here to stay ● Social networks and smart cities
Konstantinos Kyranakis, deputy minister of digital governance, Greece
Yanna Andronopoulou, general manager, Microsoft Greece, Cyprus and Malta
Vagelis Gorilas, head of public sector, Vodafone Greece
Alexandros Bregiannis, CEO, Nova ICT
Kostas Axarloglou, dean and professor of international business and strategy, Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece
Discussion
STRENGTHENING GREEK-ISRAELI TIES THROUGH INNOVATION
Uzy Zwebner, founder and CEO, BaseCamp, co-founder, High Tech Park, Beer Sheva, Israel
Itai Green, founder and CEO, Innovate Israel
Nikos Efthymiadis, chairman & CEO, Thess INTEC
Discussion
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION AS DRIVERS OF GROWTH
● The government’s strategy for effective and safe transportation
● New projects in the pipeline
● Projects in the fields of mobility and connectivity
Christos Staikouras, minister of infrastructure and transport, Greece
● The business response
Alexandros Exarchou, vice-chairman of the BoD and CEO, Intrakat
Antonis Mitzalis, executive director, AVAX Group
Georgios Lioumpis, vice-chairman of the BoD & general manager, SKY express
Commentator: Fotis Kollias, director, Powergame.gr
Discussion
Networking luncheon
NEW HORIZONS IN GREECE’S POLITICS AND BUSINESS
● Education and the economy: How is Greece performing in relation to the rest of Europe?
● Youth income policies: An update
Pavlos Marinakis, government spokesperson, secretary of the political committee, New Democracy
Dimitris Mantzos, MP, parliamentary representative, PASOK-Kinima Allagis political party
Discussion
EUROPE’S POLITICAL TRENDS IN TIMES OF GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY
● Are the conservative values on the rise?
● Focusing on the dividing lines between conservatives and progressives in today’s European politics
Makis Voridis, minister of state, Greece
Nikos Pappas, MP, Hellenic Parliament, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance
Panagiotis Doudonis, MP, head of national list, PASOK - Kinima Allagis
Moderator: Eftichis Pallikaris, adviser, Powergame.gr
Discussion
STRENGTHENING US BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT TIES IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN: NEW EXPECTATIONS
Kostas Skrekas, minister of development, Greece
Jerry Ismail, consul general, U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki
● The business perspective
Panagiotis Mourgos, managing director, Texan Envipco Hellas Group
Discussion
GREECE’S INVESTMENT AND GROWTH PROSPECTS IN VIEW OF THE GREEN TRANSITION
● Electricity and renewable energy projects in the pipeline
● The post-lignite strategy for Western Macedonia
Kostas Skrekas, minister of development, Greece
● The business perspective
Ioannis Papadopoulos, chairman of the board, DEPA Commercial
Spyros Kiartzis, manager, new technologies & alternative energy sources, HELLENiQ ENERGY Group
Commentator: Antonis Metaxas, managing partner, Metaxas & Associates Law Firm
Discussion
End of day sessions
Green awards ceremony
Ioannis Vellidis Room 1
Cocktail reception
Welcome remarks by the conference chair:
Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The Economist’s The World Ahead
Opening remarks:
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, regional governor, Central Macedonia, first vice-president,
European Committee of the Regions
GALA DINNER: THE OUTLOOK FOR EUROPE
● Southeast Europe & EU enlargement
● How is Europe’s future intertwined with the geopolitics of the region?
● Greece’s pivotal role in the region
● The importance of securing energy supply for Europe through shipping
Nikos Dendias, minister of national defence, Greece
Dominique de Villepin, former prime minister of France
Wess Mitchell, former US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, USA (via connection)
Discussion
Dinner is served
Sponsors
Delegrate registration
If you are interested in attending the event as a guest,
please contact Ms Fedra Mourmouri.
Telephone: (30) 210 9408750 (ext.222)
Email: fedra@hazliseconomist.com
Venue
Escape in a haven of relaxation and grandeur by the azure of the sea, delve in the pleasures of luxury and experience the epitome of indulgence in the dreamiest island-like resort of the Athenian Riviera. Nuzzled in a 72-acre private peninsula in the Athenian Riviera with stunning views to the Saronic Gulf, the 5 star Grand Resort Lagonissi exceeds all expectations of a luxury sea front summer resort.
Grand Resort Lagonissi 40th km Athens Sounion, Lagonissi Attica, Athens
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