Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2024

Given the recent disruptions in global transports, shipping, and supply chains due to the spiraling conflict in the Middle East region, the Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2024 devotes its upcoming 5th edition, entitled “Trading Arteries & Global Supply Chains at Stake”.

The Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2024 will be held on February 15, 2024, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and be hosted by the Piraeus Port Authority. Diplomats, experts, policymakers, heads of international organizations, and business executives will discuss and delve upon the means to address the serious challenges that burden the supply chains and the globalized economies.

Official language is English, and participation is by invitation and registration only.

Speakers

Ambassador Bolat Nurgaliyev

Chairman, Foreign Policy Research Institute, MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Ambassador (a.h.) Dimitrios Rallis

Deputy Secretary General, BSEC PERMIS

Mr. ΥU Zenggang

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Piraeus Port Authority SA

Mr. Olivér Várhelyi

Commissioner for Neighborhood & Enlargement, European Commission

Agenda

Thursday, 15 February 2024

10.00-10.30

Meet & greet - Registrations

Participation is by invitation and registration only. Persons not invited or registered to the Forum, will not be granted access to the venue

10.30-11.00

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair Executive Committee, Balkans & Black Sea Forum

photoAmbassador Xiao Junzheng

Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China

photoMr. Nikos Papathanasis

Alternate Minister of Economy & Finance, Hellenic Republic
11.00-12.30

Chapter 1: Geopolitics, Regional Cooperation and Port hubs in the Mediterranean

In focus: The impact of recent Middle East conflicts on navigation, ports, and trade; regional cooperation and China-CEEC Cooperation; development of the Piraeus Port as a green hub of technology; development of Northern Greece’s ports; China-Greece cooperation in shipping

photoMr. Olivér Várhelyi

Commissioner for Neighborhood & Enlargement, European Commission
video message

photoMr. ΥU Zenggang

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Piraeus Port Authority SA

photoMs. Xiaoxi ΧΙΑ

Counsellor, Secretariat of Cooperation Between China & CEEC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China

photoDr. Angelos Vlachos

BoD Member at Hellenic Ports Association & CEO Port of Kavala SA

photoAmbassador (a.h.) Dimitrios Rallis

Deputy Secretary General, BSEC PERMIS

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony D. Papayannides

Journalist
12.30-13.00

Coffee break

13.00-14.30

Chapter 2: New order and trends in regional connectivity

In focus: Current connectivity status & logistic hubs in the Southeast Mediterranean & Black Sea regions; the Belt and Road Initiative: review & prospects; synergies between the BRI and EU’s Global Gateway plan

photoMr. François Davenne

Director General, International Union of Railways

photoDr. Young Tae Kim

Secretary-General, International Transport Forum-OECD

photoDr. Ilias Lekkos

Group Chief Economist & Head of Investment Strategy, Piraeus Bank

photoDr. Jisheng SUN

Vice President, China Foreign Affairs University

photoDr. Renwei HUANG

Executive Director-General, Fudan Institute for Belt & Road and Global Governance

photoAmbassador Bolat Nurgaliyev

Chairman, Foreign Policy Research Institute, MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Middle Corridor - new opportunities for Europe and Asia

photoMr. Hendrik Bosshammer

Project Manager SEE, Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD)

Moderator

photoAmbassador (a.h.) Michael B. Christides

Co-Chair Executive Committee, BBSF
14.30-14.45

Closing remarks

photoAmbassador (a.h.) Michael B. Christides

Co-Chair Executive Committee, BBSF
14.45-15.45

Networking cocktail reception

15.45-17.00

Onsite visit at the Piraeus Port Authority premises

Please refer to the menu bar: Practical Info - Side Events

17.00

End of the conference

NB

  • Participation by invitation and registration only
  • The official language is English with no simultaneous translation

Leading Sponsors

In Cooperation

Contributors

Organizer