Economist Conferences – Greece
The Fourth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit
September 5th-6th 2024 | “Ioannis Vellidis” Congress Centre, Thessaloniki
Making pathways to prosperity, solidity and cohesion for south-east Europe
Economist Impact and Hazlis & Rivas, are proud to announce the organisation of the Fourth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit entitled “Making pathways to prosperity, solidity and cohesion for south-east Europe”.
This year’s event takes place at a time when the economic and political landscape in south-east Europe is affected by the current geopolitical turmoil in the broader neighbourhood. This very fact, however, underlines the strategic importance of Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean for Europe’s unity and security. Despite geopolitical threats and a pervasive unpredictability, there is undoubtedly a strong momentum for stronger co-operation and partnerships in Europe. What should the next steps be?
The recent report on the future of the EU’s Single Market reflects ways in which to empower Europe to deliver a more sustainable future. Within this context, the role of Southeast Europe emerges as crucial. A geographical and cultural bridge between the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, the Black Sea, the Balkans and Central Europe can contribute decisively to the continent’s prosperity, solidity and cohesion.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join us in Thessaloniki on September 5th – 6th , 2024 at the “Ioannis Vellidis” Congress Centre whereby high-ranking government and state officials and prominent personalities from politics, business, finance and academia will once again take part in a fruitful and meaningful conversation on the way forward.
In partnership with
Speakers
Boyana Achovski
Secretary-general
Angela Aggeler
US ambassador to North Macedonia
Stefanos Agiasoglou
Chief executive
Stelios Angeloudis
Mayor
Iasonas Antonopoulos
Head of Vodafone Business Products and CEO
Kostas Axarloglou
Dean and professor of international business and strategy
Gus Bilirakis
Congressman
Matthew Bryza
Former US deputy assistant secretary of state for European & Eurasian Affairs, Member of the BoD
Agenda
- 05 Sep The Fourth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit - DAY 1 - September 5th 2024
- 06 Sep The Fourth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit - DAY 2 - September 6th 2024
Cocktail reception
Opening remarks
Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The Economist-The World Ahead 2024
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, regional governor, Central Macedonia, EU commissioner nominee, first vice-president, European Committee of the Regions
GALA DINNER: TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS AFTER THE US ELECTION
● The future of Europe: new priorities, challenges and opportunities
● Tackling the current geopolitical turmoil in the region
● Greece’s enhanced role in southeast Europe
● EU cooperation and Western Balkans accession
Guests of honour and keynote speakers:
George Gerapetritis, minister of foreign affairs, Greece
Martin Schulz, former president, European Parliament, chair, Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Discussion
Dinner - First course is served
US FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES IN THE REGION AFTER THE UPCOMING US ELECTION
The Economist in dialogue with:
Gus Bilirakis, congressman, U.S. House of Representatives (via connection)
Dina Titus, congresswoman, First Congressional District of Nevada (via connection)
Main course and dessert are served
Registration – Welcome coffee
THE ECONOMIST’S FUTURE OUTLOOK
● The US election and its impact on the world
● Europe’s new landscape: next steps
● Where does the UK stand today after its election
Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The Economist-The World Ahead 2024
Fotis Kollias, director, Powergame.gr
Opening remarks
Konstantinos Gkioulekas, deputy minister of interior, responsible for Macedonia-Thrace, Greece
Stelios Angeloudis, mayor of Thessaloniki
UNITED STATES – SOUTHEAST EUROPE: STRENGTHENING TIES IN THE MIDST OF GEOPOLITICAL TURMOIL
● Energy & security: The outlook
George Tsunis, US ambassador to Greece
Christopher Hill, US ambassador to Serbia
Angela Aggeler, US ambassador to North Macedonia
Julie Davis Fisher, US ambassador to Cyprus
Commentator:
Tasos Chatzivasileiou, MP, Hellenic Parliament, International Secretary of Nea Demokratia Party
Discussion
ENHANCING GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS
● The prospects for south-east Europe
● Northern Greece as a pillar of stability in a fragile region
● Sustainability goals and business growth
Georgios Zervos, secretary-general for the management of sectoral programmes of the ERDF, the CF and the ESF, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Greece
George Pagoulatos, ambassador of Greece to the OECD, chair, Friends of South East Europe Group, OECD
● The business response
Nico Gariboldi, vice-president, Thessaloniki site lead, Pfizer
Discussion
Coffee break
GREECE’S FUTURE ECONOMIC POLICY: THE OPPOSITION’S VIEWPOINT
Harris Mamoulakis, MP, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance
Paris Koukoulopoulos, head of finance sector, PASOK - Movement for Change
Discussion
THE GREEK ECONOMY: PICKING UP SPEED
Keynote address:
Kostis Hatzidakis, minister of national economy and finance, Greece
● The business perspective
Alexandros Exarchou, vice-chairman of the BoD and CEO, Intrakat
Discussion
ENERGY LANDSCAPE IN SE EUROPE AND EUROPE’S ENERGY SECURITY
● An update on the new energy corridors
● LNG and pipelines: An update
Theodoros Skylakakis, minister of environment and energy, Greece
Matthew Bryza, former US deputy assistant secretary of state for European & Eurasian Affairs, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan, member of the BoD, Overgas
Boyana Achovski, secretary-general, Gas Infrastructure Europe
George Satlas, executive officer and board member, ICGB
Discussion
OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE DECARBONISATION STRATEGY
● How is the region contributing to the green transition?
● Decarbonisation-electrification: is the course towards sustainability financially and socially sustainable?
● The momentum for just transition in coal regions
Alexandra Sdoukou, deputy minister of environment and energy, Greece
● The business response
Maria Rita Galli, CEO, DESFA
Athanassios Paspaliaris, Thessaloniki industrial complex manager, Hellenic Petroleum R.S.S.O.P.P., HELLENiQ ENERGY
Discussion
THE CONTRIBUTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO A MORE RESILIENT ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
Christos Staikouras, minister of infrastructure and transport, Greece
● Anti-pollution and new technologies in urban transport
Stefanos Agiasoglou, CEO, Public Road Transport
Discussion
FINANCE, GROWTH AND RRF FOR GREECE: NEXT STEPS
● Circular economy: prospects and challenges for new investments
Takis Theodorikakos, minister of development, Greece
Nikos Papathanasis, alternate minister of national economy & finance, Greece
Panagiotis Mourgos, managing director, TEXAN Environmental Management
Discussion
NAVIGATING THE ENERGY TRANSITION AMIDST THE CLIMATE CRISIS
The Economist in dialogue with:
Alexios Paizis, deputy CEO, PPC
Networking luncheon
HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THE ROLE OF ALEXANDROUPOLIS IN TIMES OF TURMOIL?
● Latest US energy priorities for SE Europe
● Synergies and strategic partnerships in the pipeline
Keynote address:
Geoffrey Pyatt, US assistant secretary of state for energy resources, Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State (via connection)
Makis Voridis, minister of state, Greece
Victor Parlicov, minister of energy, Moldova
Konstantinos Chatzikonstantinou, CEO, Alexandroupolis Port Authority, Greece
Discussion
INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY: A DRIVING FORCE FOR GROWTH
● Tapping into the local talent
● Trends to watch
● What social changes can be expected?
● Policies, resources and incentives
Dimitris Papastergiou, minister of digital governance, Greece
Iasonas Antonopoulos, head, Vodafone Business Products and CEO, Vodafone Innovus
Pavlos Kitsanelis, public sector lead, Microsoft Greece, Cyprus and Malta
Panayiotis Ketikidis, president, board of directors, Alexander Innovation Zone (AIZ)
Nikos Efthymiadis, chairman & CEO, Thess INTEC
● How do the reforms in higher education affect investment and employment in the tech sector?
Kostas Axarloglou, dean and professor of international business and strategy, Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece
Discussion
Closing session
THE ECONOMIST IN DIALOGUE WITH THE MAIN OPPOSITION
● Greece’s future landscape and targets to be met
Nikos Pappas, leader of parliamentary group, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance
End of day sessions
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Delegrate registration
Option A: Conference sessions
€1.800 tax/VAT excl.
- Full 3-day conference
- 3 networking luncheons
- Coffee breaks
Option B: Conference sessions and dinners
€2.200 tax/VAT excl.
- Full 3-day conference 3
- networking luncheons coffee breaks and cocktail receptions
- 2 Gala Dinners
Corporate table
€7.500 tax/VAT excl./ table (8 seats)
- This option includes participation of 8 persons at: full 3-day conference 3 networking luncheons coffee breaks
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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