Press release-3rd annual Executive RoundTable, Athens, July 2, 2025
3rd annual Executive RoundTable, Wednesday July 2nd, 2025
“IMEC from potential to partnership”
The 3rd 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