Economist Conferences – Greece
30th Annual Government Roundtable
July 8th, 9th and 10th 2026 | Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athens
Progress in an age of upheaval | Geopolitics-Growth-Technology
The current global and European landscape is defined by a convergence of multiple crises and complex challenges across the political, economic, social, and environmental spheres. At the same time, Europe stands at a critical juncture where security, economic resilience, and energy autonomy have become fundamental priorities.
Within this evolving context, next year’s 30th Anniversary Edition of the Athens Government Roundtable entitled “Progress in an age of upheaval” will seek to explore key aspects that highlight the global momentum in response to the emerging reality within the new global landscape.
The event is scheduled to take place in Athens at the Grand Resort Lagonissi on July 8th, 9th and 10th 2026.
More to come —please check back soon.
Speakers
Daniel Franklin
Executive editor and senior editor, Britain, The Economist
Joan Hoey
Greece analyst and Europe consultant, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
Alasdair Ross
Countries editor, "The World Ahead 2026", The Economist
Stefanos Agiasoglou
Chief executive, Public Road Transport
Ameca
The world’s leading social humanoid robot
Most Reverend Anthimos
Metropolitan of Alexandroupolis, Traianoupolis and Samothrace
Milena Apostolaki
MP and former deputy minister, PASOK-Movement for Change
Anne Applebaum
Journalist, author and historian
Agenda
- 08 Jul Day 1 - 30th Annual Government Roundtable
- 09 Jul Day 2 - 30th Annual Government Roundtable
- 10 Jul Day 3 - 30th Annual Government Roundtable
Registration - Refreshments
A world in upheaval: the Economist’s outlook
Opening Session: Democracy in decline or in a crisis?
Which developments support the view that democracy worldwide is in retreat? Are there democratic models that could be more effective? How can the participation of citizens be strengthened so that governments become less bureaucratic and less dependent on entrenched interests?
Ukraine’s and Moldova’s future and the prospects for EU integration
Keynote address:
Europe’s coming of age
The intensifying geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China is creating new challenges for Europe’s interests at a moment when Russia’s war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerabilities of Europe’s security architecture. What tools does the European Union have at its disposal to achieve strategic autonomy and safeguard democratic values in its decision-making processes? To what extent is the euro zone’s economic and financial resilience a key factor in the emerging role and renewed profile of Europe two years after the Letta report on the single market.
Is Europe investable?
EU institutions are striving to reboot the engines of the European economy through reforms aimed at deepening capital markets and correcting macroeconomic imbalances. The president of the Eurogroup has acknowledged a fundamental reality: without production, there can be no European power. What, then, will fuel Europe’s economic locomotive in the decades ahead? Can the Old Continent build its own Silicon Valley?
On stage conversation with:
Europe’s next vital steps between geopolitics, EU ambitions and EU accession
In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, this session will examine the role of EU enlargement and neighborhood policy in shaping a more influential European voice on the world stage. It will further explore how the prospects for EU accession are being redefined both for the Western Balkans and other countries of the region in an increasingly uncertain environment for the continent.
Networking break
Trade and geopolitics in a changing world
Is mercantilism the new standard for global trade? This session will examine the defining challenges shaping today’s geopolitical and economic landscape, with a focus on how national security interests are the increasingly dominant consideration in trace policy. The Economist in dialogue with:
Power and influence: US, Europe and the changing Middle East
This session will explore the shifting balance of power across the United States, Europe and the Middle East with a focus on the Eastern Mediterranean. Leading personalities will analyse how regional conflicts, alliances and economic pressures are reshaping strategic priorities and global influence. Keynote address:
Networking luncheon
Europe’s industrial future: strategic autonomy, resilient supply chains and Greece’s role
Connecting regions, communities and nations – promoting resilience and prosperity
This session will explore the momentum for infrastructure and transport, both from a business and a socio-political perspective. It will also examine the current prospects for the Three Seas Initiative.
Corruption and the limits of democracy
This session will explore the point at which corruption becomes a threat to democracy, the question of who holds primary responsibility, whether it can actually be effectively addressed, how Europe compares with the rest of the world in this regard, and the main challenges facing Greece.
Promoting regional co-operation to address the root causes of migration
Ongoing armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies and economic hardships continue to affect many countries in the European neighborhood. These challenges have fuelled instability and dire living conditions, often leading to migration and further violence. This session will explore ways in which the EU and its member states can work together with regional governments and civil society in order to address the root causes of migration. Specifically, how can policies be adopted which support greater economic opportunities, particularly for young people? How can the EU better deliver humanitarian and development assistance? Lastly, how can the EU use its influence to promote the European values of human rights and human dignity with regional governments whose policies can contradict these values?
End of day sessions
Cocktail reception
Official Opening Gala dinner: Inspiring the younger generations & shaping communities through sports
The Economist in dialogue with:
Musical performance by Penny Baltatzi
Registration - Refreshments
Global conflicts on the rise: is a multipolar world order viable?
At a moment when a war has just been waged in the Middle East between the US, Israel and Iran and post-cold-war settlement appears increasingly fractured, the durability of multilateral institutions and the coherence of global governance are under renewed scrutiny. The session will examine the current geopolitical challenges for the Middle East and the wider region, the persistence of the war in Ukraine, the emergence of new flashpoints across South Asia and the Caribbean, and the fragile prospects for stability: can a multipolar order can offer equilibrium or is this world entering a more volatile era?
Geopolitics and interregional co-operation in focus: the foreign-policy agenda in an age of upheaval
This session will examine the geopolitical fronts currently commanding the attention of the international community by analysing the strategic interests of key regional and global actors. It will also explore foreign-policy initiatives by highlighting the evolving dynamic and the potential flashpoints that could impact stability.
Guarding the future: defending Europe at strategic frontiers
This session will examine how US and European defence strategies are adapting to new threats, the role of NATO and regional alliances. In addition, discussions will cover challenges of balancing deterrence, diplomacy and cooperation. High level officials will discuss the implications for regional stability, technological modernization and the future of US-European security partnerships in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
The generation that will touch the stars
A distinguished 15-year-old secondary school student, actively engaged in international research initiatives, presents his vision for space exploration and his goal of combining medicine with astrophysics through the use of ΑΙ. An interview with The Economist:
Turkey’s relations with the EU and Greece in the new international landscape
This session will explore the complex dynamics between Greece and Turkey within the broader geopolitical context. In a rapidly evolving international landscape, transatlantic relations are being tested in ways that challenge the foundations of the long-standing alliance between Europe and the United States. How does this new environment work for Europe’s relations with powers such as China and Turkey? What are the risks and what are the opportunities in this complicated interaction?
Networking break
ENERGY – Session I – The US perspective: The potential of Southeast Europe and the eastern Mediterranean as dynamic energy hubs
South-east Europe and the eastern Mediterranean are increasingly in the spotlight of the global discussion on energy due to their strategic location and the significant projects in which they are involved. The session will examine how the countries in the region can strengthen co-operation with each other for the benefit of Europe's energy security and their own prosperity amidst major geopolitical challenges. Keynote speaker:
ENERGY - Session IΙ: Charting paths for energy security, diversification and co-operation
Exploration projects, new corridors, investment in new forms of energy and new partnerships are building a strong momentum for the energy sector in south-east Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. This session will discuss the plans of the industry, as well as the new landscape in the region from the perspective of energy security and efficiency.
ENERGY – Session III: Re-invigorating the green transition through innovation, flexibility and inclusiveness
While climate co-operation is declining amidst geopolitical fragmentation, technology is increasingly offering new opportunities for sufficient and clean energy. How can we tap into these opportunities? What are the most radical solutions to tackle the climate crisis and, at the same time, make energy cheaper? Should hydrocarbons continue to play a role? How can we promote the idea of energy democracy?
The perilous age of quantum politics
Highly volatile geopolitical environments. Nonlinear political dynamics, where small events can trigger major consequences. Situations in which multiple narratives coexist. Just as in quantum physics, more and more often, political results are impossible to predict with certainty. What does this imply for our world today? The Economist in dialogue with:
Keynote address:
Networking luncheon
Cocktail reception
Official Gala dinner: Progress in an age of upheaval
Guests of honour and keynote speakers:
Registration - Refreshments
The global economy in 2026 and beyond - Financing Europe and Greece’s future
As the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility gradually winds down, what do government policies, capital markets and business developments reveal about the outlook for the global economy? Is Greece prepared to leverage its own resources and domestic capabilities to sustain long-term growth?
The "hidden" debt of the Greek economy
The burden of troubled household and business liabilities, including non-performing loans, has eased compared with the peak years of the crisis. Nevertheless, total private-sector debt owed to the state, banks and loan servicers remains elevated. How is the Greek economy's "hidden" debt evolving, and how should policymakers address this challenge?
A steady compass in a shifting investment landscape
Disruptions in trade, persistent challenges in geopolitical hotspots, technological upheavals, and volatility in financial markets are shaping a complex global environment. Against this backdrop, this session will examine trends in the investment sector, highlighting both potential risks and emerging opportunities.
Responsible state - confident businesses
The fiscal regime is a key factor shaping business dynamics, with the tax framework having a catalytic effect on business operations. This session will elaborate on the prospects for business activity in Greece, highlighting both the progress achieved and the remaining room for improvement in the country’s public finances.
Reviving growth in the Old Continent: Can the Eurozone catch up?
Increasing borrowing for public investment or strengthening competition for more efficient markets? The session that follows examines Europe’s subdued growth performance compared with the United States and China, exploring the appropriate policy mix to unlock the euro zone’s potential.
Networking break
Soul, code and business: being human in the age of AI
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, humanoid systems are beginning to reshape human relationships, the workplace and self-knowledge. How will the future of work evolve and how will our path toward self-awareness be affected? Above all, what does it mean to remain human in this AI-driven world?
From Plato’s academy to Chat GPT
Greece is considered the historical birthplace of the Western model of education. The disruptions brought by Αrtificial Ιntelligence also affect how future generations will access knowledge. What are the opportunities—and the pitfalls—for education in the age of ChatGPT?
Navigating opportunities and risks in the age of AI
Europe is seeking to strengthen its competitiveness in AI and digital innovation, as the US-China race for technological supremacy accelerates. This session will explore both the opportunities that agentic AI presents for growth and innovation, and the challenges it poses for regulation, ethics and strategic competition.
Business environment: the touchstone for growth
Beyond fiscal consolidation, the region has had to go a long way in implementing structural reforms that promote economic growth. How is the business environment across the region shaping up today? How is it performing in areas such as business licensing, digital transformation and market competition?
Gen-Z is rising up: a driving force for deep societal changes?
While protests labelled as “Gen Z protests” are spreading around the world, there is much debate with regard to the perspectives of this generation: What does actually Gen Z tend to believe in areas such as work, technology, social connections, the environment and democracy? How could these beliefs reshape our societies?
The Economist in dialogue with:
Sustainable healthcare systems: unlocking the value of innovation
This session will focus on pharmaceutical innovation as a driver of the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems—improving patient outcomes while strengthening financial resilience. The discussion will also examine Greece’s competitive position within the European landscape, focusing on the reforms, investments and public–private partnerships required to build an innovation-driven and sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
Revolutionizing healthcare and longevity
Breakthroughs in medicine, biotechnology, and digital health are transforming the way we live longer and healthier lives. Experts will discuss how cutting-edge therapies, preventive strategies, and the integration of AI and data analytics are reshaping healthcare systems and well-being worldwide.
Closing networking luncheon
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Delegrate registration
Option A: Conference Sessions
€2,000.000 Tax/VAT excl.
- full 3-day conference
- 3 networking luncheons
- coffee breaks & coctail receptions
Option B: Conference Sessions & Dinners
€2,500.000 Tax/VAT excl.
- full 3-day conference
- 3 networking luncheons
- coffee breaks & cocktail receptions
- 2 Gala Dinners
Corporate table (8 seats)
Corporate table booking | Conference sessions
€8,000.000 Tax/VAT excl.
This option includes participation for 8 persons at:
- full 3-day conference
- 3 networking luncheons
- coffee breaks & coctail receptions
- 2 seats for the 2 Gala Dinners
Corporate table guest registration guidelines & information will be sent seperately.
Corporate table booking
€14,000.000 Tax/VAT excl.
This option includes participation for 8 persons at:
- full 3-day conference
- 3 networking luncheons
- coffee breaks & coctail receptions
- 2 Gala Dinners
Corporate table guest registration guidelines & information will be sent seperately.
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.
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