Balkans & Black Sea Forum | Executive Roundtable 2025

Balkans & Black Sea Forum "Executive Roundtable 2025"

The Balkans & Black Sea Forum Executive Roundtable brings together policymakers, diplomats, thinktanks and businesses to review challenges, assess implications, identify opportunities and promote bi-/multilateral cooperation across the regions. Held under Chatham-house rule, restricted to experts & selected audience by invitation only, it provides space for open, sincere and out-of-the-box dialogue and debate.

The India-Middle East-European Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a proposed economic corridor aimed at enhancing geopolitical alignment, trade and economic cooperation between India, Middle Eastern countries, and Europe. IMEC envisions to bolster connectivity, infrastructure, trade, logistics, and create a seamless pathway across these regions, potentially benefiting industries ranging from manufacturing to services. While it’s still in the planning stages, IMEC represents a significant effort to strengthen economic ties and foster regional integration on a global scale.

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

Speakers

Ms. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS | Chair at Kithairon Farms S.A.

Ms.Sandra Géhénot

Director Europe, International Union of Railways

H.E. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece

Mr. Lambros Kalarrytis

Journalist-Editor, Parapolitika News

Agenda

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

09.30-10.00

Registrations

10.00-10.30

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair Executive Committee, Balkans & Black Sea Forum
10.30-12.30

Chapter 1: A view from the top

In focus: High-level discussion for the present and the future of IMEC; global interplays; geopolitics; ROI

photoH.E. Noam Katz

Ambassador of Israel to Greece

photoH.E. Stavros Avgoustides

Ambassador of Cyprus to Greece

photoH.E. Rudrendra Tandon

Ambassador of India to Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair Executive Committee, Balkans & Black Sea Forum

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Managing Editor, Economia Publishing
12.30-13.00

Break

Sponsored by Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

13.00-15.00

Chapter 2: Threats – Challenges - Opportunities

In focus: Shipping, ports, rails & gateways; Energy supply & security; Finance & investments; Technology & AI security; Trade & customs; Emerging risks

photoMr. Costis Stambolis

Executive Director, Institute of Energy for South East Europe

photoMr. Alexandros Itimoudis

Geopolitical analyst, Container News

photoDr. Theodoros Tsakiris

Professor for Geopolitics & Energy Policy, University of Nicosia | YPEN Advisor

photoMr. Athanasios Liagos

Fm Chair, Greek Ports Association

photoMs.Sandra Géhénot

Director Europe, International Union of Railways

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Managing Editor, Economia Publishing

Moderator

photoMs. Symela Touchtidou

Business Journalist, Euronews Greece
15.00-15.30

Break

Sponsored by Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

15.30-17.30

Chapter 3: Impact beyond borders

In focus: Competition & redundancy (BRI, TITR, INSTC, CPEC); Infrastructure & interoperability; Standardization & harmonization; Intercultural, linguistic, religious & other barriers

photoDr. Marios Efthymiopoulos

Director, Strategy International (SI)

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS | Chair at Kithairon Farms S.A.

photoH.E. Juseong LIM

Ambassador of Korea to Greece

photoH.E. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece

photoH.E. Levan Beridze

Ambassador of Georgia to Greece

photoH.E. Laurence AUER

Ambassador of France to Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Managing Editor, Economia Publishing

Moderator

photoMr. Lambros Kalarrytis

Journalist-Editor, Parapolitika News
17.30-17.45

Concluding remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair Executive Committee, Balkans & Black Sea Forum

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Managing Editor, Economia Publishing

photoMr. Lambros Kalarrytis

Journalist-Editor, Parapolitika News
17.45 - 19:00

Networking reception

Remarks

  • Participation by invitation and registration only. The event is closed to the public and the media
  • No information should be shared, nor the identity of who said what, may be revealed publicly by any of the participants
  • The official language is English, with no livestreaming and simultaneous translation

Sponsors

Steering Partners

Expertise Partners

Organizer

BBSF 2025 Application of Participation

Application of Participation

Thank you for your interest in the Balkans & Black Sea Forum (hereinafter referred to as BBSF). 

  • By applying to the Executive RoundTable, you accept, agree, and consent to the Terms & Conditions listed below.
  • Participation is by invitation only.
  • Only a limited number of applicants may attend with a registration fee of 700€ per person (VAT 24% excluded).
  • Only one application at a time can be submitted.

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    TERMS & CONDITIONS

    1. Applications are subject to the approval of the organizers.

    2. Upon approval, applicants are notified by email while being requested to proceed with the payment of the respective registration fees. Failure to submit the payment wi>hin 48 hours after email’s reception, the application is cancelled automatically. Registrations are not transferable and no refunds for canceled registrations are accepted.

    3. The event is closed to the public and the media. No information can be shared nor the identity of who sai> what may be revealed publicly by any of the participants

    4. To access the venue, participants should present a valid ID document to the Secretariat of the Forum.

    5. The official language is English with no livestreaming and simultaneous translation. BBSF reserves the right to amend the program and is not responsible for cancellations of speakers due to private reasons or other unforeseen c>rcumstances.

    6. BBSF accepts no responsibility for statements made orally or in written form by any of the speakers or delegates during the forum, nor the responsibility for any copying, republication, or redistribution of such statements.

    7. Participants accept, consent and authorize the organizers to freely take photos and make video and voice recordings throughout the event. Furthermore, they agree to personally appear in the aforementioned material for promotional and/or scientific purposes for an unlimited amount of time.