3^rd annual Executive RoundTable, Wednesday July 2^nd, 2025

“IMEC from potential to partnership”

The 3^rd annual Executive RoundTable of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum was held on Wednesday July 2, 2025 in the Athenian Club, entitled “IMEC from potential to partnership”.

Held under Chatham-house rule, restricted to experts & selected audience by invitation only, the Executive Roundtable 2025 brought together policymakers, diplomats, thinktanks and business executives who engaged in a lively dialogue about IMEC, the proposed new economic corridor aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity between India, Middle Eastern countries, and Europe.

Considering IMEC a high-stakes and strategic topic, which offers a rich canvas for powerful debate across trade, geopolitics, infrastructure, and global alignments, a number of high-level speakers delved into aspects, dilemmas, risks, and opportunities of IMEC; examined potential complementarity and competition with other existing and projected corridors (BRI, TITR, INSTC, CPEC); unveiled the importance of leadership, governance, sustainability, peace and security across the regions; and unfolded the “Black Swan” of IMEC, being the opposing forces and powershifting dynamics between East & West.

IMEC’s high-level view was delivered by the Ambassadors of India Mr. Tandon, France Ms. Auer, Cyprus Mr. Avgoustides, and Israel Mr. Katz, its interplay with other corridors addressed by the Ambassadors of Korea Mr. Lim, Kazakhstan Mr. Sultangozhin, and Georgia Mr. Beridze, connectivity & infrastructure blueprint by Ms. Gehenot Director Europe UIC, Dr. Tsakiris Professor of Geopolitics & Energy Policy at the University of Nicosia, Mr. Liagos Fm CEO at Piraeus & Thessaloniki Port Authorities, governance & sustainability unfolded by Ms. Palli Chair of the CSR HELLAS, while the geopolitical dimension portrayed by Dr. Efthymiopoulos Director Strategy International and Mr. Itimoudis Geopolitical analyst. The panels were moderated by the prominent journalists, Mr. Papayannides, Mr. Kalarrytis and Ms. Touchtidou.

The Balkans & Black Sea Forum expresses sincere thanks to the esteemed panelists, the delegates, the partners (European Public Law Organization | CSR Hellas | International Union of Railways, and the sponsors (Constantakopoulos Foundation, Ganis Organic Wines, Violanta, Hellenic Dairies, Nektar, Gnomon Events, and Athenian Brewery), for their presence and support to the Executive RoundTable 2025.

Website (agenda & speakers): https://balkansblackseaforum.org/bbsf2025-exrt/

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Athens, July 3, 2025

Website, Agenda, Speakers https://balkansblackseaforum.org/bbsf2025-exrt/

As we head into the next quarters of 2025, it is with pleasure to announce a roster of high-caliber initiatives conducted by the Balkans & Black Sea Forum (BBSF) and the AgriBusiness Forum (ABF).

Don’t miss the opportunity to join as a speaker, sponsor, or delegate to gain insights, networking, sharpen the saw, and stay ahead of geopolitics, geoeconomics, intercultural dialogue, food & climate security, and agribusiness nexus (policies & provisions apply).

July & September 2025

Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2025 | 3rd Executive Roundtable

On July 2, 2025, the 3^rd Executive Roundtable highlights “IMEC from potential to partnership”. Held under Chatham-house rule & by invitation only, and addressed to businesses, diplomats, thinktanks and policymakers aims at unveiling IMEC’s geopolitical, trade and economic opportunities between India, Middle Eastern countries, and Europe.

Website, Agenda, Speakers https://balkansblackseaforum.org/bbsf2025-exrt/

2^nd Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

On September 30 to October 2, 2025, the 2^nd Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum entitled “The Future of Thessaly agriculture in the Green & Digital Era” is held at the Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa, in cooperation with the Region of Thessaly, and Larissa Municipality. The Forum features 9 breaking sessions and 65 speakers from Greece and beyond, and addressed to businesses, farmers, cooperatives, banks, academics, and policymakers fostering dialogue and innovation at the heart of agricultural progress. https://agribusinessforum.org/

November 2025 – February 2026

Save the dates and stay tuned for more pivotal events

Revealing Portraits “Medea Symposium 2025”

On 12-16 November 2025, the international symposium «Medea, an endless journey to eternity» will take place at Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, aimed at illustrating the social, cultural, and political landscape of the time, and unveiling issues that remain strikingly relevant in the modern world. The event consists of a 2-day conference (12-13/11/2025), and Santa Medea, a 5-day exhibition (12-16/11/2025), addressed to businesses, actors/scientists, diplomats and academia. https://www.geo-routes.com/

8^th International AgriBusiness Forum 2025

On November 27-28, 2025, the 8^th international AgriBusiness Forum entitled “Agrifood systems & Entrepreneurship to address Food-Health-Environmental nexus in times of insecurity“, is held at the Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry, featuring 9 roundtables and 60 actors from Greece & beyond, and addressed to businesses, farmers, banks, academics, and policymakers fostering dialogue and innovation at the heart of agrifood value chain. https://agribusinessforum.org/

Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2026 | 6^th international edition

In February 2026 the 6^th Balkans & Black Sea Forum entitled “Leadership, Security, Cooperation in a fragmented world” will be held at a time of numerous geo-political/economic, and power-shifting challenges influencing the global scene and endanger the social and economic equilibrium of regions. It will feature 8 pivotal roundtables addressed to leading business- & policy-makers, diplomats, ThinkTanks & academia. https://balkansblackseaforum.org/

Athens June 1,2025

Amidst the powershifting dynamics between East and West and the disruptions in the Middle East and Red Sea, the 3rd annual Executive Roundtable, entitled “IMEC from potential to partnership,” will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, in Athens, and be focused on unveiling aspects, dilemmas, risks, and opportunities in Eur-Asia and beyond.

Participation is by invitation only

Stay tuned

Deeply saddened by the news of the sudden passing of our dear friend, Nicolas Boutsikos, Executive Director and Editor of Greek Diplomatic Life.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

May he rest in peace!!

Balkans & Black Sea Forum | Executive Roundtable 2024

EXECUTIVE REPORT – KEYNOTE REMARKS

The 2^nd annual Executive RoundTable of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum was hosted on July 10, 2024, in the prestigious “Athenian Club”, under the title “Peace & Security in EUrAsia: feasible, sustainable or an illusion”. Amid the destabilizing conflicts and tensions both in Europe and in the Middle East, a select group of distinguished speakers and guests contributed to a lively and candid debate, held under “Chatham-house-rule”.

https://balkansblackseaforum.org/bbsf-2024-balkans-amp-black-sea-forum-executive-roundtable-2024/

Keynote remarks are available upon request

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On June 18th, 2024, Mr. Giannis Balakakis, Chair of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum, was received at the Embassy by the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Mr Zsolt Sándor

Ambassador Sándor and Giannis Balakakis had a constructive exchange of views on the challenges influencing the global scene and the equilibrium of the regions; and discussed means for closer collaboration between the Embassy, the Capital, and the Balkans & Black Sea Forum.

Quo Vadis Europe? A different understanding of geopolitics, geoeconomics, and food safety

Quo Vadis Europe? Διαφορετικές προσεγγίσεις στη γεωπολιτική, τη γεωοικονομία και την ασφάλεια των τροφίμων

The next Balkans & Black Sea Forum Executive Roundtable goes on July 10th, 2024, entitled “Peace & Security in EUrAsia: feasible, sustainable or an illusion”. Held under Chatham-house rules, restricted to experts and selected audience by invitation only, once again, it will give space for open, sincere and out-of-the-box dialogue & debate about the destabilizing situation in the Middle East & Eurasia.

Το επόμενο Balkans & Black Sea Forum Executive Roundtable θα πραγματοποιηθεί στις 10 Ιουλίου 2024, με θέμα «Ειρήνη & ασφάλεια στην ΕυρΑσία: εφικτή, βιώσιμη ή ψευδαίσθηση». Θα διεξαχθεί με φυσική παρουσία (κατόπιν πρόσκλησης) σε πλαίσιο Chatham-house, στα αγγλικά, και όπως πάντα θα διασφαλίσει έναν ανοιχτό και ειλικρινή διάλογο σχετικά με τα τρέχοντα ή/και αναδυόμενα προβλήματα στην ευρύτερη περιοχή.

https://balkansblackseaforum.org/bbsf-2024-balkans-amp-black-sea-forum-executive-roundtable-2024/

AgriBusiness Forum 7^th international edition entitled “Quo Vadis Greek & European agriculture?” is held in Athens-GR on 21-22/11/2024, focused on the augmented uncertainties burdening the European agrifood value chains. High caliber experts unveil what needs to be done in terms of the EU & National policies, new CAP, Crop & Livestock production, Climate & Environment, Sustainable cities, Food systems’ safety-security, Financing, and from Inputs & Retail industries. Stay tuned!!!

Το 7^ο διεθνές AgriBusiness Forum με θέμα “Που βαδίζει η Ελληνική & Ευρωπαϊκή γεωργία?” θα λάβει χώρα στην Αθήνα, στις 21-22/11/2024, και επικεντρώνεται στις αβεβαιότητες που διαταράσσουν τα αγροδιατροφικά συστήματα στην εποχή 2.0. Φετινό ζητούμενο είναι τι πρέπει πλέον να γίνει όσον αφορά τις εθνικές και ευρωπαϊκές πολιτικές, τη νέα ΚΑΠ, τις καλλιέργειες, την κτηνοτροφία, το περιβάλλον, τις βιώσιμες πόλεις, την επισιτιστική ασφάλεια, τις χρηματοδοτήσεις και τις βιομηχανίες εισροών και λιανικής.

https://agribusinessforum.org/