Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated in the 2^nd Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris (10/3). At this summit — the second since 2024, when the first Summit was held in Brussels — 41 countries participated.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated in his speech, among other points:

“In Greece, in recent years, we have, invested heavily in renewables. Twenty years ago, we generated more than half of our electricity from coal. Today we generate more than half of our electricity from wind and solar. Renewables have turned us from a net electricity importer to a net electricity exporter. They have lowered our prices and strengthened our energy security. Given our superior resources, we will continue to invest in solar and wind, coupled with investments in batteries, pumped hydro and natural gas as a transitional fuel.

But the tide is turning. Nuclear energy is clearly having a comeback. Countries with nuclear power want to build more reactors and countries that abandoned nuclear power are reexamining their position. This is a welcome shift.

I came to Paris today to announce that Greece is also turning the page. It is time for my country to explore whether nuclear energy, and specifically small modular reactors, can play a role in the Greek energy system. We will set up a high-level ministerial committee to make a definite recommendation to the government on this front.

Our need for electricity is only going to grow. So no matter how much we expand renewables, we will need long-term predictable baseload power. No technology can match what nuclear can offer us.

Α topic that Greece cares a lot about is nuclear power in shipping. This is a proven technology that is already used for decades in military and other niche applications. At this point, we have no credible solutions to decarbonize shipping. Nuclear should be part of this conversation as well. It is a topic in which Greece plans to lead, separately from whether nuclear might have a role to play within Greece’s own system.

So, dear friends, this is a major day for Greece. We are writing a new chapter. Please consider Greece to be a friend of nuclear energy. Whether nuclear will end up playing a role in Greece remains to be seen. But at a time of great geopolitical upheaval, all options must be on the table. Our task is to make nuclear part of the solution again.”

(Source: https://www.primeminister.gr/en)

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Five Greek satellites were launched on November 28, and are now in orbit around the Earth as part of the "National Micro-Satellite Program." These are two operational micro-satellites built by the private satellite company ICEYE, as well as three experimental and research microsatellites for technological demonstration, which will test new space technologies developed in Greece with the aim of strengthening the domestic industry. After being integrated via Exolaunch into SpaceX's Falcon 9 on the Transporter-15 rideshare, the satellites were launched on November 28 at 9:00 p.m. (GMT+2) from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is a very important success that further strengthens the country's position in the modern technological and space ecosystem.

More specifically, the Greek part of the mission consisted of:

• Two operational Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, named ICEYE SAR-1 and SAR-2, which will provide Earth observation data day and night, under any weather conditions. This data will support civil protection, environmental monitoring, and national security activities.

• Two experimental research microsatellites named PHASMA-1 and PHASMA-2 (LAMAR & DIRAC), developed by the Libre Space Foundation, with the aim of demonstrating secure satellite connectivity and spectrum monitoring technologies from space.

• An experimental research microsatellite developed by PRISMA Electronics called MICE-1, which will focus on applications for secure connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT), with uses predominantly in shipping.

With these five satellites, Greece is strengthening its potential in Earth Observation and Secure Communications services. It should be noted that the micro-satellite constellation developed under the "National Micro-Satellite Program" will provide important data for policy planning and decision-making in critical areas such as mapping, navigation, precision agriculture, spatial planning, and disaster management.

It is worth noting that the "National Small Satellite Program," implemented by the Ministry of Digital Governance with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, is proceeding according to the initial plan.

Through the Micro-Satellite Program, Greece will gain full access to the existing commercial satellite networks of ICEYE, OroraTech, and Open Cosmos, ensuring more frequent and up-to-date data for the Greek territory.

Commenting on the launch, Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, stated: "Greece's presence in space is now a reality. The launch of five Greek satellites is a pivotal development for the country and further proof that we are consistently implementing the ‘National Small Satellite Program’ by utilizing the resources of the Recovery Facility. This is not just a technological investment. It is an investment in the country's future and its path to development, in strengthening the national space ecosystem, and in creating employment opportunities with strong prospects. For the first time, we are acquiring our own data from space and, with them, new possibilities for policy-making, product development, and decision-making in critical areas: from security and civil protection to environmental monitoring and sustainable development. Greece is establishing itself as a country that does not merely keep up with developments, but embraces them, shapes them, and transforms them into opportunities for all."

Secretary General of Telecommunications & Post at the Ministry of Digital Governance, Konstantinos Karantzalos, said that the successful launch was the result of conscious investment in Greek human resources, domestic technological capabilities, and Greek industry, adding: "With the participation of universities, research institutions, and Greek companies, we are strengthening our national technological base and creating the conditions for true autonomy in the development of space infrastructure and applications. The National Space Program lays the foundations for a new era and new cutting-edge programs, where Greece will not be a mere user, but a producer and exporter of expertise in the field of aerospace."

ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, Simonetta Cheli, said: "The selection of ICEYE to develop the synthetic aperture radar satellites for Greece underlines ESA’s ongoing commitment to supporting national space initiatives from its Member States. The inclusion of ICEYE’s X-band synthetic aperture radar capability in the Greek ‘National Small Satellite Program’ is a compelling example of how space technologies translate into tangible and vital benefits on Earth."

CEO of ICEYE, Rafal Modrzewski, said: “This launch marks another important step both in supporting our customers in deploying their own constellations and scaling the world’s most advanced commercial SAR constellation. As global interest in space-based intelligence accelerates, ICEYE stands ready to help countries build sovereign satellite missions - turning high-quality satellite imaging into actionable intelligence for security and resilience.”

"At ICEYE Hellas, we are very proud to have contributed significantly to Greece's first crucial step towards autonomy in space. The launch of the first operational satellites under the Greek flag is just the beginning for the many more that we will build in Greece as part of our long-term investment plan for the country," added the Head of ICEYE Greece, Vasilis Chaloulakos.

"With Phasma, the Libre Space Foundation's seventh mission to space, we are pioneering the critical field of spectrum monitoring. The mission was developed on open-source principles, confirming that collaborative innovation delivers high-tech solutions. We are proud to continuously strengthen Greece's position in the new space age by promoting research and the democratization of knowledge," emphasized the Libre Space Foundation.

CEO of Prisma Electronics, Christos Giordamlis, stated: "The launch of MICE-1 is a moment of utmost importance and a significant proof of the capabilities of Prisma Electronics, which developed and constructed the nanosatellite in Alexandroupolis. With MICE-1, we are proving that Greek industry can produce cutting-edge technology and compete on equal terms in the international space and business arena."

Source: Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance; Photos/video: SpaceX

Read also via Greek News Agenda:  Greece’s National Small Satellite Program: 15 Microsatellites for Climate and Environmental Protection

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On November 12, 2025, the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, co-chaired the 3rd Intergovernmental Summit of the two countries.

The 3rd Intergovernmental Summit was attended by the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the two countries who are in charge of Foreign Affairs, Education, Health, Transportation, Environment, Justice and crime prevention, Civil Protection, Housing Policy, Digital Policy and Technology, and Coordination of Government Policies.

In an environment of geopolitical turmoil, uncertainty, and instability, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed the crucial role of Intergovernmental Summits in further strengthening the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus and contributing to stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The framework for bilateral cooperation is broad and multi-tiered, encompassing areas such as institutions, defense, the economy, energy, and education. It is constantly expanding in response to contemporary challenges, with results that have a practical impact on the daily lives of citizens and their interaction with the state.

The proceedings of this year's Summit focused, first and foremost, on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the joint effort to restart talks with the aim of achieving a solution for the reunification of the island on the basis of the agreed framework of the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. They expressed their expectation that Turkey would contribute substantially to the resumption and continuation of the talks within the agreed framework, in order to advance European-Turkish relations in line with the conclusions of the European Council.

The two leaders also expressed their support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in the context of the Good Offices Mission entrusted to him by the UN Security Council, ahead of the upcoming informal expanded meeting to be convened by him. They also stressed the crucial importance of the EU playing an active role through its Special Envoy in the context of the existing UN process.

The 3rd Summit focused particularly on cooperation aiming to further improve day-to-day life and improve the life quality of citizens in both countries.

In this context, it was decided to take joint action in the field of the environment to address the serious issue of water scarcity, to manage and utilize reclaimed water, and to transfer expertise on large-scale desalination.

At the same time, the two countries will cooperate to ensure the protection and durability of critical water infrastructure, such as dams, and to promote responsible water use.

In the field of education, it was agreed to exchange expertise and best practices in critical areas such as linking education to the labor market, by strengthening the role of vocational education in both countries. It was decided to promote a common strategy on inclusive education to ensure the right of all children to high-quality, equal, and inclusive education, as well as to support children with disabilities in particular by providing them with skills that will help them become independent, integrate into society, participate equally in social life, and find employment. In addition, it was agreed to enhance cooperation between Greece and Cyprus on the prevention and combating of school violence and bullying, with the aim of creating safe, inclusive, and supportive school environments.

In the field of health, cooperation was agreed on Preventive Screening Test Programs. It was also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Public Health Organization of Greece and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus for the training of health professionals in combating antimicrobial resistance and enhancing health system resilience.

In the crucial area of the operation of hospitals, especially emergency departments (EDs), it was decided to boost cooperation to improve the operation of hospitals, and particularly EDs, which is directly linked to the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the quality of healthcare provided. In this context, the electronic tracking and patient satisfaction questionnaire implemented in Greece, and the fast-track clinics operating in the Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals in Cyprus, are key reforms and it was agreed that best practices in this field would be exchanged between the two countries.

In the field of transport, it was decided to take coordinated action to improve road safety. This is an issue that concerns both Greece and Cyprus and comes under the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030, which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, approaching the long-term goal of "Vision Zero" by 2050.

In the field of justice and crime prevention, it was decided to exchange expertise in the important area of judicial reform and speeding up the justice system with the aim of strengthening citizens' confidence in the institution of justice and the rule of law. The establishment of a modern and reliable mechanism for out-of-court dispute resolution serves the broader strategic objective of strengthening the rule of law and the more effective functioning of the justice system.

Cooperation was agreed to create a united front against economic crime in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. The need for effective monitoring of flows, utilization of information, and combating crime at its source is emerging as a common priority for Greece and Cyprus.

It was also agreed to strengthen cooperation between Greece and Cyprus on justice and internal security issues, which is a prerequisite for ensuring the rule of law and effectively combating cross-border crime, using EU tools such as the Schengen Information System (SIS) and EU information exchange mechanisms. In this context, it was decided to set up a joint cooperation team between the police authorities of the two countries, focusing on organized crime and the effective exchange and processing of information. The joint course of Greece and Cyprus in the field of justice and security contributes substantially to the strengthening of European security and justice policy.

In addition, Greece and Cyprus agreed to cooperate on the major issue of housing policy, with common technical standards, pilot projects in areas of tension, and coordinated action at EU level to promote social and affordable housing, which is a fundamental right of citizens and an obligation of the State. In this context, it was decided to exchange good practices and know-how, based on the flagship programs "My Home" and "My Home 2".

In the key area of natural disaster risk assessment, cooperation was agreed through the use of new digital natural disaster risk assessment tools that enable the early identification, forecasting, and mapping of risks from phenomena such as fires, floods, earthquakes, or extreme weather events. It was agreed to transfer expertise and best practices, drawing on the experience and methodology developed in Greece for the design of the national Fire Risk Map, and also of the National Database, through which, for the first time, a unified digital information and action center is being created, where all relevant entities are connected to a common digital environment, exchanging critical data in real time, using artificial intelligence with prognostic models that predict fires, floods, or earthquakes, providing timely warnings for preventive interventions.

In addition, there were discussions on the establishment of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station, an EU regional aerial firefighting hub to be based in Cyprus, and bilateral cooperation was agreed upon for the exchange of expertise in the management of aerial firefighting operations, fleet management, operational planning, and international cooperation within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU.

Emphasis was also placed on the importance of the new Pact for the Mediterranean adopted by the European Commission in October 2025, as the basic framework to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood. Greece and Cyprus agreed to work closely together to implement it, especially ahead of Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, during which the implementation of the Pact will begin and the Action Plan will be presented, and also ahead of the Greek Presidency in the second half of 2027, with the aim of continuing and deepening the relevant initiatives. In this context, joint actions and projects of common interest will be promoted, building on and expanding existing cooperation with the Southern Neighbourhood.

With a view to protecting citizens, new actions were decided upon to jointly address and raise awareness on the issue of domestic violence and violence against minors, to support and empower victims, and to actively promote equality in all areas of day-to-day life. These issues are a strategic priority for both countries within a comprehensive framework of policy interventions and actions. Cooperation was agreed upon for the implementation of relevant policies, utilizing technology and private sector cooperation.

Furthermore, it was decided to cooperate in the field of Digital Policy and Technology. This topic is particularly important in view of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU in 2026 and the Greek Presidency in 2027, as it provides an opportunity to formulate common European positions on issues such as Artificial Intelligence and the implementation of the AI Act, the protection of minors, and digital well-being.

It was decided to intensify cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in the areas of digital public policy, innovation, and cybersecurity, which strengthens the role of the two countries as digital hubs in the Eastern Mediterranean, while promoting joint participation in European high-tech initiatives.

It was also agreed to cooperate on promoting digital tools, such as Kids Wallet, as standards for the protection of minors across the EU, with the aim of addressing common challenges, considering the need to adopt digital services to ensure cybersecurity and protect citizens from the risks of the Information Age.

It was agreed that Cyprus would participate in EU’s AI Gigafactories initiative, along with Greece, as a reference point for Digital Europe in the Mediterranean; it was also agreed to deepen cooperation between the two countries on issues of cybersecurity and public service interoperability, with the aim of creating a unified Mediterranean ecosystem of digital governance.

Cooperation in the field of space technology and projects was also agreed upon, with two memoranda of cooperation to be signed shortly by the relevant ministries.

In the field of lawmaking, joint initiatives were discussed for the implementation of the principles of good lawmaking, the use of digital lawmaking tools, and the promotion of modern methodologies for impact analysis and codification of law. This cooperation contributes to the creation of a stable and transparent regulatory environment capable of supporting effective lawmaking.

In addition, issues that will be addressed by the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 were discussed.

Greece and Cyprus agreed, ahead of the Cyprus Presidency and also the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2027, to consult and communicate on a number of issues of concern within the EU.

In view of Cyprus' preparations to fully join the Schengen area in 2026, Greece will represent Cyprus in the issuance of Schengen visas in 19 third countries. In this context, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries signed a Joint Declaration.

The two countries discussed the issue of EU enlargement and expressed their shared belief that enlargement, always based on the applicable intergovernmental procedures and agreed conditionality, is an investment in the security and stability of Europe.

Greece and Cyprus underlined their commitment to contribute as strong pillars of security to stability in the region and that they remain unwaveringly committed to promoting peaceful cooperation and good neighborly relations, with respect for international law and the law of the sea.

The next steps were examined with regard to deepening existing trilateral cooperation frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean, such as through the recent meeting of the "3+1" (Greece, Cyprus, Israel + USA) to promote critical economic and energy interconnection projects.

Ways for Greece and Cyprus to cooperate in the implementation of development cooperation programs and the provision of humanitarian aid to third countries were also discussed, with joint actions by Hellenic Aid and CyprusAid in countries of priority for both countries.

Finally, it was agreed that the next Intergovernmental Meeting will take place in Cyprus in 2026, with an agenda to be determined jointly.

Source (in Greek): primeminister.gr

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The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an Equality Action Plan 2024-2027, as part of its effort to improve the conditions under which the Ministry’s workforce carries out its mission –namely the protection and promotion of Greece’s interests. The plan was presented at an event titled "Institutional Initiatives for Gender Equality", held in November in the presence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk.

The "GNCHR Report on the Status of Women in Greece" was also presented during the event, which was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR).

In his welcoming speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis underlined the key-role of cross-cutting policies in achieving substantive equality and protecting persons belonging to vulnerable and underrepresented groups. This philosophy is also the basis of the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Equality Action Plan 2024–2027”. As the Minister pointed out, "our vision is to reach a point of understanding where no Action Plan is required because inequality will no longer have a place. Self-evident equality policies that are inherent in the value of the human being will be so embedded that no action on the part of the state authorities will be required”.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Teresa-Paraskevi Angelatou, noted that the Ministry’s very good performance on gender equality issues "gives us the motivation to strive even more for a Foreign Ministry that is representative of the Greek society as a whole, always for the benefit of our country's interests". More specifically, she said that women make up 50.5% of the total MFA staff, while 46% of them hold positions of responsibility in the Central Service. At the same time, Mrs. Angelatou stressed that the challenges now extend to issues of violence and harassment, reconciliation of work and family/personal life and multiple discrimination based on disability, age, sexual orientation, etc.

Equality Action Plan 2024–2027

The Head of the Unit for Equality of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spyridon-Heracles Aktypis, presented the main axes and priorities of the Action Plan, aiming at a safe and creative working environment.

The Action Plan, developed by the Unit for Equality, under the Office of the Secretary General, is built upon three fundamental values that underpin the work of the MFA’s human resource management: equality before the law, dignity and inclusion, demonstrated through respect for diversity. It comprises a total of 39 distinct actions set to be implemented over a four-year period, addressing various aspects of the Ministry's employees’ daily routine and their work performance.

The Plan includes actions ranging from expanding the workforce, addressing stereotypes and outdated attitudes through staff training programs, establishing “Equality Liaisons” and adopting gender-inclusive language, to the implementation of specific measures to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace, and protecting employees’ mental health –for example by hiring a workplace psychologist. Issues faced by other groups vulnerable to discrimination, namely people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as well as LGBTQI+ employees and their family members, are also being tackled.

detailed timeline is in place to monitor and evaluate the effective implementation of the Action Plan, with the flexibility to adapt as challenges arise. For the Plan to succeed, it requires the participation of all MFA staff and close cooperation between the Ministry and various institutions of the public sector.

As Mr. Aktypis also noted in his presentation, all actions contribute also to the “brain-gain” efforts, in alignment with the National Demographic Action Plan. By ensuring a workplace where young people feel safe and creative, the aim is to make the Ministry of Foreign Affairs an attractive work environment.

GNCHR Report on the Status of Women in Greece

The GNCHR, represented by its President, Professor Maria Gavouneli, and Research Officer, Katerina Charokopou, presented the “GNCHR Report on the Status of Women in Greece”. The Report updates, in a single reference text, the positions of the Commission on the situation of women in our country, as a useful guide for the State authorities, the legislature, the Administration, law enforcement bodies, field professionals, researchers, and all stakeholders involved.

At the same time, the GNCHR Report highlights the key areas where the most violations of women's rights are identified, collects statistical data, and groups a large number of recommendations to the State by thematic category. For the preparation of this report, the GNCHR utilized all qualitative and quantitative research tools, such as Opinions, Proposals, Reports, Recommendations, Conclusions, and Findings, within the framework of cooperation with State bodies, Civil Society, and European and International Organizations.

MFA Equality Action Plan 2024-2027:

https://www.mfa.gr/media/2024/11/MFA_Equality_Action_Plan_2024-2027.pdf

GNCHR Report on the Status of Women in Greece:

https://nchr.gr/images/pdf/apofaseis/isothta_fullwn/KATASTASI_GYNAIKON.pdf

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This year, Greece hosts the 9th Our Ocean Conference. The Conference takes place in Athens, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, on the 16th and 17th of April.

By hosting the 9th Our Ocean Conference Greece reaffirms its commitment to transition to a “Blue economy” to harness the advantages of a new balance between economic development (growth), social cohesion, and sustainability as well as addressing some key challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, unsustainable fishing, marine pollution especially from plastics, and unsustainable maritime transport.

Greece and the sea

Throughout its history, Greece owes much of its potential and achievements to the sea. By mastering the marine element, Greeks became successful sea merchants and explorers who colonized the entire Mediterranean over 3,000 years ago. Continuing this tradition of seafaring for over three millennia, the Greek commercial fleet is presently the leading fleet in the world, setting an example in green shipping too.

Greece is a country inextricably linked to the sea, historically, culturally, economically, and socially. Its extensive coastline and countless islands and islets, as well as its rich maritime heritage dating back to ancient times, render Greece a maritime nation positioned at the crossroads of three continents. The country’s economic landscape is significantly shaped by maritime activities such as shipping and tourism. Almost 20% of the world merchant fleet in terms of tonnage capacity is of Greek ownership. Tourism, on the other hand, contributes more than 20% of the country’s GDP constituting the backbone of its economy. Fisheries and aquaculture are also important maritime activities.

Our Ocean Greece 2024 presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to join forces in delivering accelerated, transformative action. By coordinating our efforts and acting in a timely manner, we can achieve more than ever before and pave the way for even better outcomes in Nice 2025. By fulfilling our responsibilities towards the ocean, we ensure that our world can continue to accommodate and nourish life for generations to come, enabling us to live and thrive for the country.

Hosting the conference in Athens is not only a strategic choice but a symbolic recognition of the Mediterranean’s pivotal role in shaping the dialogue on ocean conservation. This return to the Mediterranean marks a renewed commitment to foster collaboration and innovation in a region where the convergence of diverse cultures meets the common responsibility to safeguard the ocean for the well-being and livelihoods of present and future generations.

Areas of Actions

• Marine Protected Areas

An effectively managed network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with well-defined conservation measures that address the pressures of ocean-based activities, such as tourism, shipping, fishing, and aquaculture, is an essential instrument for safeguarding biodiversity and maintaining marine ecosystems.​

• Sustainable Blue Economies

Blue economy can serve as a key tool to achieve sustainable use of the ocean and marine resources for sustainable growth of economic sectors that rely on the ocean, such as tourism, shipping, fishing and offshore wind energy, that will bring prosperity and employment creation, while preserving ocean ecosystem health.

• Climate Change

Strengthening the nexus between the ocean and climate change is of paramount importance for bringing forth solutions in a holistic manner. Ocean plays a key role as climate regulator and can serve as a vehicle for clean transition, whilst climate actions aim to preserve a healthy state of the ocean.​

• Maritime Security

Safeguarding the ocean from piracy, illegal trafficking of goods and people, illegal fishing and pollution and other illegal activities at sea is a key challenge that needs to be effectively addressed and to bring about innovative and creative efforts to improve maritime security.​

• Sustainable Fisheries

To reap the benefits of a resilient ocean, it is essential to incorporate sustainable fisheries policies though adequate fishing methods, surveillance of prohibitions and restrictions and other integral solutions to effectively tackle overfishing that poses a direct threat to marine biodiversity.​

• Marine Pollution

Marine pollution, such as eutrophication, marine litter, and chemical pollution, occurs from either seaborne or land-based activities and imposes significant threat to the ocean health. A more holistic approach with joint efforts is crucial to prevent and control anthropogenic pollution that ends up in the ocean.​

The Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit

The Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit, in partnership with Sustainable Ocean Alliance, coinciding with the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens on April 15, 2024, signifies a commitment to involve and empower the next generation in tackling key challenges in areas like Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Blue Economy, Climate-Ocean Nexus, Maritime Security, Sustainable Fisheries, and Marine Pollution. Greece will focus on sustainable tourism, green shipping, marine plastic reduction, and the green transition in the Mediterranean.

The summit aims to empower youth by emphasizing on education, employability, and sustainable practices across conference themes. It particularly concentrates on upskilling, reskilling, and fostering ocean awareness to address challenges and opportunities. The focus is on comprehensive educational initiatives, including STEM education, marine sciences, and sustainable resource management.

Highlighting the dynamic nature of ocean-related sectors, the summit stresses the significance of upskilling and reskilling programs for emerging fields like marine biotechnology and sustainable fisheries. It aims to create an adaptable workforce through continuous learning, contributing to the sustainable development of ocean-related industries.

At its core, the summit promotes ocean awareness, emphasizing the interdependence between oceans and humanity. It actively engages in educational campaigns, workshops, and programs to enhance environmental initiatives among youth, raising awareness about oceans’ ecological significance and economic opportunities.

As a platform for Youth-led Solutions, the summit fosters innovative ideas and commitments, shaping an informed, skilled, and passionate generation dedicated to oceans’ well-being. Guided by comprehensive objectives, it addresses challenges and opportunities in diverse ocean-related sectors, actively involving youth in shaping the future of Our Ocean.

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"Women, Peace and Security" was the theme of the event organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 8, 2024. The event was held on the occasion of the adoption of the first National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security (2023-2028), a key pillar of Greece's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026.

In the words of Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis, who introduced the event, "the need for a meaningful presence of women is becoming and will become even more important in the future. In a world that for centuries has been built on the logic of male dominance, what is necessary, in my opinion, to consolidate social peace, is a more substantial balance in the participation of both sexes in decision-making processes, especially in those decisions that are related to world peace and prosperity". The minister added that an Office for Equality has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which aims, inter alia, to monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security.

Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the UN

Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is a policy framework that recognizes that women must be critical actors in all efforts to achieve sustainable international peace and security. It is based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Women Peace and Security (WPS), SCR 1325, adopted in October 2000.

It is the first resolution to link women to the peace and security agenda and acknowledge that armed conflicts impact women and girls differently from men and boys, as well as the need for women’s active and effective participation in peacemaking, including peace processes and peacebuilding. SCR 1325 consists of four pillars

• The role of women in conflict prevention;
• Women’s participation in peacemaking and peacebuilding;
• The protection of women’s rights during and after conflict; and
• Women’s specific needs during repatriation, resettlement, rehabilitation, reintegration and post-conflict reconstruction.

Following SCR 1325, the Security Council has adopted nine additional resolutions on WPS, the most recent in October 2019. These resolutions are often referred to as belonging to two sets of categories.

National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security

This is the first national plan for the implementation of WPS policy framework, and it aims to enhance the role of women and girls as agents of change in maintaining peace and security, promoting and protecting human rights and the rule of law, as well as achieving sustainable development at a national, regional and global level.  Equally important is the inclusion of gender in the way public administration operates, through its systematic mainstreaming in public policies (Articles 10-20 of Law 4604/2019 A' 50).

The agenda also addresses a series of UN Security Council resolutions focusing on the following issues:

• Conflict-related sexual violence and peace negotiations (S/RES/1820/2008), strengthening actions to repress it (S/RES/1888/2009) and implementing relevant procedures for recording, analyzing and reporting incidents (S/RES/1960/2010),
• criminal responsibility and accountability of perpetrators (S/RES/2106/2013),
• sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping missions (S/RES/2272/2016),
• survivors of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (S/RES/2467/2019),
• protection and empowerment of women after the end of armed conflicts (S/RES/1889/2009),
• persistent failures in the implementation of the Agenda (S/RES/2122/2013),
• the role of women in combating violent extremism and terrorism (S/RES/2242/2015),
• the interconnection between human trafficking, armed conflict, and insecurity (S/RES/2331/2016),
• the need for states to implement their national commitments to fulfill the Agenda (S/RES/2493/2019).

The all-female panel of distinguished speakers included:

• Dr. Zefi Dimadama, Secretary General for Equality & Human Rights, Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family
• Ms Maria Gavouneli, Professor at Athens Law School, President of the National Commission for Human Rights, Director General of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
• H.E. Ms Anna - Karine Asselin, Ambassador of Canada
• H.E. Ms Lindiwe Gail Msengana - Ndlela, Ambassador of South Africa
• H.E. Ms Maria Theofili, Ambassador, Director General for International Organizations and International Security and Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Maira Myrogianni was appointed as Secretary General for International Economic Affairs in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 2023. She is a graduate of the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lille II in France. She is also a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Peloponnese, her scientific interests focusing on the fields of Human Rights and European Law.

Maira Myrogianni has a wide and diverse experience in public administration, having served for several years as a legal advisor for international relations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Culture & Sports, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs.

Secretary General Myrogianni spoke to Greek News Agenda* on Greece’s comparative advantages and why it attracts foreign investments at such high rate; the Greek economy’s more competitive sectors and its openness to international trade and markets; the importance of reforms outlined in the National Strategic Plan for Extroversion; how Greece has established itself as a digital innovation hub as well as an energy hub for Southeastern Europe, and is among the more climate-ambitious EU member states. Finally, the Secretary General spoke on the goals and initiatives of Enterprise Greece, the national state agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and promoting Greek exports.

What do you think are Greece's comparative advantages? Why should someone invest in our country?

Our country is now considered a leading investment destination attracting large-scale investments. It's not just momentum and favorable conditions that contribute to this, but other important factors as well, such as the improvement of the macroeconomic environment and the brave reforms promoted by the government, including rapid digital transformation, the reform of the tax system and the expansion of  available financing tools (National Recovery and Resiliency Plan - Greece 2.0). At the same time, more than 1,500 public services were digitized, which contributed to speeding up the necessary administrative procedures for making an investment.

One of the country’s main comparative advantages is the availability of professionals  that are highly trained, academically qualified, and proficient in multiple languages, while, according to recent data from the Ernst & Young “European Investment Monitor,”  most prominent among the country's appealing factors are: quality of life (75%), transport infrastructures and logistics (73%), telecommunications infrastructure / digital infrastructure (72%), Greece’s internal market (72%), and, as mentioned, skilled human resources (70%).

It is also worth bringing up the reform of investment incentives, both with the promotion of the new Development Law in 2022 that offers competitive investment incentives in the form of tax breaks, grants, wage and other subsidies, as well as with the substantial improvement of the framework for strategic investments, where investors can also enjoy an extremely wide range of incentives.

What are the most competitive productive sectors of the Greek economy and the most important markets for Greek exports? Are they venturing into new markets and if so, which ones?

Tourism, shipping, and agriculture by tradition comprise the Greek economy’s competitive sectors, while other strong productive sectors include the food and agri-food industry, energy production, management and conservation, construction and building materials, information and communication technologies (ICT).

In 2022, 55.1% of the country's total exports was directed to the European Union, demonstrating the bloc’s special significance for Greek foreign trade, while other very important markets include geographically distant countries, such as the United States of America, China, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition, there are ventures into new markets in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. For example, I recently visited Jakarta where I participated in the Indonesia-Europe Business Forum 2023 and presented on the occasion the opportunities that our country offers, especially in the areas of shipping, transport & interconnectivity, energy transition & Renewable Energy Sources and tourism. While in Jakarta, I also had the chance to discuss the promotion of bilateral economic and trade relations between Greece and Indonesia with political leaders and businesses entities.

Could one say that Greece has built a brand name in the investment sector, for example as a hub for technological/green investments or as a bridge between Europe and Asia in the framework of the National Strategic plan for Extroversion?

It is clear that the Greek success story has attracted investors to Greece, but also that Greek companies have become more extroverted, thanks also to the reforms outlined in the National Strategic Plan for Extroversion. The creation of a Greek brand name in the investment sector is now something tangible.

In recent years, Greece has been promoted as a digital innovation hub, with significant strategic investments in the field of IT and digital technology. What’s more, our country has been successfully positioned internationally as an energy hub in the wider region of Southeast Europe, thanks to its key geo-strategic position but also to the design and implementation of high-potential international connections, both in the electricity and natural gas markets.

Moreover, Greece is among the more climate-ambitious EU member states, supporting the goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% (as compared to 1990) by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The ambitious National Climate and Energy Plan (NECP) and the National Climate Adaptation Strategy (establishment of a National Council and preparation of regional adaptation plans), are fully consistent with ecological and other EU priorities, and in particular with the European Green Deal.

The National Strategy for Extroversion is a necessary tool for coordinating the country's extroversion initiatives, but also an important tool for identifying and classifying target markets, actions and priority sectors for the Greek government and Greek enterprises, with the aim of supporting extroverted businesses and the organized promotion of the country's international position and image. This is the road map for Greece's extroversion actions.

Out of the 779 initiatives in total included in the 2023 National Strategic Plan for Extroversion, 130 concern the energy, environment and technology sectors, while the majority of initiatives (470) focus on the countries of Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East.

Could you briefly describe the goals Enterprise Greece? What initiatives has the organization planned for 2024 to attract new investments and reinforce the extroversion of Greek businesses and foreign trade?

Enterprise Greece, as the national state agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and promoting Greek exports, takes care every year to formulate the appropriate strategy relating to target markets, promotion sectors and types of business activities, depending on both the country’s needs and international conditions. We have laid the foundations for a new development model, which favors domestic entrepreneurship as well as direct foreign investments. The pillars of our development strategy focus on digital and green economy, but also on promoting social equity and long-term sustainability.

For 2024, our business planning includes a series of actions, such as holding targeted investment seminars or forums; organizing national participation in important sectoral investment exhibitions abroad; preparing and planning one-on-one meetings with international investors and organizing trade missions. At the same time, we continue to maintain and update an extensive portfolio of investment opportunities which currently includes 419 projects in various sectors of the economy.

Regarding the export sector, Enterprise Greece has designed and provides to export-oriented businesses an integrated, coherent program of services, actions and tools. The program focuses on providing three types of services: Networking, Training & Empowerment and Consulting & Information. It is also worth mentioning that Enterprise Greece has recently launched a new service for Greek exporters and potential export companies, the Export Help Desk, an innovative online platform offering daily updates to exporters on issues and procedures of foreign trade, as well as on the implementation of training programs.

Given the increase in foreign investment, as well as the new wave of investment expected following the recent recovery of Greece’s investment grade, in which areas does Enterprise Greece expect interest to be focused on in 2024?

It is a fact that Greece’s performance as regards direct foreign investment in recent years has been impressive. Greek exports have recorded a historic high: During the 3-year period 2020-2022, exports of goods increased by 77.6%, reaching a momentous 55 billion euro in 2022 (from 30.8 billion euro in 2020). These achievements of the Greek economy are expected to lead to a new investment wave, not only in its traditionally strong sectors like tourism, shipping and agriculture, but  also  in knowledge-intensive sectors, such as technology, research and development, health sciences, interdisciplinary innovation and start-up entrepreneurship.

We have already seen the first important instances of this, both with the dynamic investment entry into Greece of large multinationals corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Pfizer Cisco, HP, Digital Realty, Accenture and Deloitte in the fields of research, development and innovation, as well as with the significant investment wave attracted by the rapidly growing startup ecosystem in the country. It is worth noting that in 2021, the startup ecosystem attracted investments amounting to 540 million euro, while in 2022 the corresponding amount exceeded 325 million euro. It is worth noting that the vast majority (73%) of these investments were from abroad. In terms of target sectors, our operational action plan for 2024 aims at countries with significant investment potential –according  to official data from the OECD and the Bank of Greece–  while emphasizing sectors where Greece has a comparative advantage and in which significant investment mobility is observed, as for instance in tourism and real estate, IT and communication technologies, health sciences, agri-food, smart manufacturing, energy (RES, but also thermal production, electricity and natural gas networks, hydrocarbon research and development), environmental technologies, supply chain, business service centers and audiovisual productions.

* Interview to Ioulia Livaditi | Translation from Greek to English: Ioulia Livaditi; Editing: Magda Hatzopoulou

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Climate change is impacting Greece and the world, with rising temperatures, prolonged periods of drought and frequent and intense wildfires. These environmental shifts pose significant threats to the overall ecological balance of the Mediterranean, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive measures to mitigate escalating challenges.

In the battle against climate change, Greece has formed an ambitious plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Towards this goal, in 2019, the Greek government launched the GR-eco islands initiative, with the aim to transform the Greek islands into innovation hubs and models of green economy, energy autonomy, digital innovation and ecological mobility.

The GR-eco Initiative includes such actions as the increased use of Renewable Energy sources, the creation of digital infrastructure, the promotion of energy efficiency, the sustainable management of waste and water, e—mobility and the electrification of transport, and the green transformation of agriculture and tourism. To strengthen collaboration between the public and the private sectors, the GR-Eco Islands Initiative operates within the framework of public-private partnerships (PPP).

Chalki became Greece’s first GR-eco island, and aspires to become a model of energy transition, with the local community being at the forefront of energy transition. The Municipality of Chalki established the Energy Community “ChalkiON”. The installation of a 1 MW Photovoltaic plant and the use of the virtual-net-metering model (VNM), provide clean energy to the island's residents transforming Chalki to the first energy self-sufficient island of Greece.

Another innovative project is being implemented in Astypalea. In 2020, the Greek government made a groundbreaking agreement with the Volkswagen Group to establish a state-of-the-art mobility system on the island, unique in the whole Mediterranean region. The ambitious project aims at both public and private transportation through a shared e-mobility model.

During the recent COP28 Summit, Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the island of Poros would be the third island joining the GR-eco island initiative in cooperation with the UAE’s state-owned green energy company Masdar. Unveiling the plan, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stressed that Poros’ transformation into a green island is based on four pillars: First, the installation of a photovoltaic plant and the upgrading of the grid to cover a significant part of the island’s annual energy needs. Second, the electrification of the ferry link between Poros and Galata on the mainland, which will involve the deployment of a fully electric ferry, the electrification of part of the existing passenger fleet and the installation of charging infrastructure in the two ports. Third, the stimulation of the electrification in public transport and for private transport and travel. And fourth, the development of a new waste management and recycling system.

In addition to the GR-eco island initiative, a renewable energy revolution is also taking place on the remote island of Tilos, situated north west of the island of Rhodes, where the first hybrid power station in Greece was created utilizing energy from both wind farms and solar power generators. The pioneering European research Project TILOS (Technology Innovation for the Local Scale), has transformed the small island into an energy self-sufficient community, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity generation. Additionally, Tilos can garner profit by selling its excess energy. Lastly, in Agios Efstratios, 85% of the local energy comes from wind turbines and photovoltaics.

On the occasion of the COP28 Summit, it is worth noting that in 2022 Greece adopted its first National Climate Change Law, which set ambitious intermediate targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a carbon budgeting mechanism. Furthermore, Greece’s latest National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) raises the country’s target for renewable energy to 28 GW by 2030, aiming to achieve 80% penetration of renewables in the country’s energy mix by 2030. Greece is already implementing a plan to de-lignite the country's energy mix. As a result, in May 2023, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) accounted for more than half of the energy mix, with 54% of total electricity demand being met by solar, wind and hydro sources, while in 2022  Greece was in 7th place worldwide in terms of utilization of solar and wind energy sources.

The importance Greece places on green transition is reflected in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan "Greece 2.0" (2021-2026), where 37.5% of the Plan supports climate objectives aiming to increase the share of RES in Greece’s energy mix.
Regarding the islands, the main goal is the electrical interconnection of Greece's largest islands by 2030 and a hybrid system ensuring 80% greenhouse gas reduction for the smaller islands. Lastly, firmly committed to the protection of Oceans, and aiming to strengthen cooperation for collective action on all major issues affecting Oceans, Greece will host the 9th "Our Ocean Conference" in Athens on April 16-17, 2024

This is an article taken from Greece In America, the official newsletter of the Embassy of Greece in Washington

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Chalki, the first Gr-Eco Island; Forty Greek islands are going "green"; "Just Go Zero Tilos": Greece’s first zero-waste island; Greece’s renewable energy landscape

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A few days ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Kotsiras, successfully hosted a conference to unveil the project "Consular Services Process Transformation".

It is an initiative that seeks to redesign and digitize services provided by the Greek Consular Authorities worldwide, thereby enhancing their communication with Greek nationals residing abroad and providing faster and more efficient services.

Specifically, the conference showcased the Digital Request Management Service, through which a series of requests to the Consular Authorities will be partially or totally processed digitally, that is, remotely. This new digital service is currently being tested by the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will soon be fully operational across all 125 Greek Consular Authorities in 85 countries around the world.

The Conference also introduced the "Virtual Assistant" service, which has been integrated into the websites of all Greek Consular Authorities and uses artificial intelligence to provide written responses to citizens' questions in Greek, English, and 17 other languages.

Addressing the Conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, reiterated the commitment of the Greek state and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen relationships with the Greek Diaspora, which constitutes a great asset. Placing emphasis on the state’s continuous process of digitization, he made particular mention of the project’s potential to establish a Registry of Diaspora Hellenism which would not only provide easier access to services, but also give an accurate estimation of Greek Diaspora’s population size.

For his part, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Kotsiras, stated that supporting Diaspora Hellenism is a chief priority of the government, narrow the distance between Greeks abroad and their homeland. Mr. Kotsiras further higlighted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ effort to create a "cohesive policy framework," which will lead to a National Strategy for Diaspora Hellenism within the next three years.

The project was presented in detail by the General Manager of the Directorate-General of Projects of Information Society SA, Dimitris Giantsis, the Director of Operations at the contractor company Quality & Reliability SA, Dionysios Georgopoulos, and the General Director of Diaspora Hellenism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Chrysoula Aliferi.

Consular Services Process Transformation

The project’s aims are:

• To facilitate faster communication between the state and the citizens regarding their transactions with the Consular Authorities,
• To provide accurate and up-to-date information,
• To improve the quality of services offered by the Greek Consular Authorities to citizens abroad,
• To make available modern tools to the staff of the Consular Authorities in serving the public,
• To create of a more direct relationship between citizens/businesses and the Greek state/public administration,
• To reduce the number of people that make physical transactions at the Greek Consular Authorities and reduce of their operating costs.

Digital Request Management Service

The Digital Request Management Service is a "remote communication" system for citizens interacting with the Consular Authorities for a total of 36 application procedures. It is already being tested in practice by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be put into operation in the near future at all 125 Greek Consular Authorities in 85 countries around the world.

This service will digitally handle, partially or fully, the application process, providing the appropriate response and the required documents to the person concerned, thus achieving better service for the citizen and faster processing of transactions with him/her, reducing the need for citizens to appear in person at the relevant Consular Authority.

Citizens will be able to access the Digital Service using their taxisnet codes or, for citizens wishing to enter as visitors, by obtaining One Time Passwords (OTP) or, alternatively, by means of passwords obtained after a one-time authentication procedure by the Consular Authority.

The Digital Request Management Service includes:

• digital submission of requests
• digital submission of the required documents
• digital verification of applications by Consular officials
• electronic payment of the fee for consular services
• production and digital delivery of the requested documents to citizens
• selection of the date of the citizen's physical presence at the consular authority, for services that cannot be fully processed digitally

Registry of Diaspora Hellenism

Through the Digital Service, Greek expatriates will be able to register in the Registry of Diaspora Hellenism, if they wish to do so.

By storing their personal data, the Consular Authority will be able to inform citizens about activities taking place in their place of residence, as well as about current affairs in Greece.

Messaging Alert System for Greeks Abroad

The service will also feature a Messaging Alert System for Greeks Abroad for to Greek citizens abroad, in cases of natural or non-natural disasters, dangerous situations etc. Greek citizens abroad who have voluntarily declared, by registering with the Digital Service, that they wish to be notified by the system, will receive an e-mail and/or SMS with updates and instructions for their personal safety.

Among the consular services that may be provided digitally, partially or fully, are various certificates and administrative services for civil registry, census, conscription, resettlement, citizenship, passport applications as well as notarial services.

Virtual Assistant

The Virtual Assistant service acts as a "digital helper" who who interacts with the citizen, answering questions in written form using artificial intelligence (AI), via the internet (Consular Authority website, Facebook Messenger or Viber). It also indicates the necessary steps for a particular procedure. The Virtual Assistant is also one of the gateways for foreign citizens to enter the new "Digital Request Management Service" of the Greek Consular Authorities.

The Virtual Assistant is already operational in all Consular Authorities (125 Greek Consular Authorities) in Greek and English, as well as in 17 other languages. Using artificial intelligence, the service provides guidance and information to citizens on standard consular services they are looking for.

The "Consular Services Process Transformation" project is funded by the "Public Sector Reform" Operational Program under the NSRF, complemented by the European Social Fund and National Resources.

Read also via Greek News Agenda: The Digital Transformation “bible” of Greece (2020-2025); Digital Transformation in Greece 2021-2022 | Found.ation Report.

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Forty-one percent (41%) of electricity produced in Greece in 2022 was generated through Renewable Energy Sources (RES). According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Greece has enacted an impressive array of measures to support its ambitious climate goals while maintaining energy security. Fossil fuel reduction and its replacement with RES, mainly with solar and wind energy, is one of Greece’s top priorities, aided by the country’s geographical position, geological territory and climate.

In its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and reach net zero emissions by 2050, Greece has adopted the National Plan for Energy and Climate (NPEC) since 2019. Its main targets ar: a) Decarbonization; b) Renewable Energy Sources (RES) as the dominant energy source; c) climate-neutral economy by 2050, in accordance with EU targets, and d) renovation of public buildings, industrial facilities, and residences using the latest energy standards.

Maximizing energy security through diversification of energy resources, price affordability and accelerated transition towards clean energy are at the forefront of Greece's energy policy. Greece aspires to become a leading energy hub and serve as a gateway from East to West and South to North. As a result, Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean region have the potential to emerge as key facilitators of European energy security in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

With respect to electricity interconnections, a new transmission line connecting the Greek grid to that of Albania will be fully operational by 2030. Additionally, electricity interconnections linking Greece with Israel and Cyprus, as well as with Egypt, will transform Greece into an energy hub for the transmission of electricity from the Middle East and North Africa to the markets of continental Europe. This electricity will be mainly generated by renewable energy sources, thus further contributing to Europe’s energy security, while also tackling climate change.

Recognizing the importance of Renewable Energy Sources, Greece made an early shift towards a cleaner energy mix. It has developed substantial know-how, enabling the country to become a world leader in energy production via renewable energy sources (7th place among countries with the highest penetration of renewable energy in electricity generation in 2022). According to a report published on May 27th by the International Energy Agency (IEA), titled Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2023, Greece is ranked second globally in incorporating solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies in its electrical power output. On the list of countries with highest PV penetration, Spain comes first with 19.1%, followed by Greece at 17.5 %, Chile at 17% and the Netherlands and Australia at over 15%.

Greek wind and solar capacity has increased by 70% and 110%, respectively, between 2018 and 2022. As a result, Greece hit a new milestone in the fall of 2022, running completely on "clean" renewable energy for about five hours for the first time in its history. Furthermore, the early adoption of renewables in Greece’s energy mix resulted in a minimal increase of coal use for energy production to address the challenges presented by the Russian invasion of Ukraine since February of 2022.

Greece is determined to continue moving forward in order to achieve the most ambitious climate goals. To succeed in this endeavor, about 1/3 of the funds allocated to Greece by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) will be directed towards green transition investments, with a view to green electricity production reaching 80% of total electricity by 2030. With more than 6,000 islands, of which 227 are inhabited, it goes without saying that energy autonomy of the islands is a priority for Greece’s energy future. Towards this goal, Greece initiated the GR-eco islands initiative, aiming to transform Greek islands into paradigms of green economy, energy autonomy, digital innovation and ecological mobility, with Chalki being the first GR-eco island. Additionally, Astypalea in the south Aegean is about to become the first smart, green island in the Mediterranean with energy autonomy. Tilos – another "green" island in the Mediterranean - is now powered by wind and solar energy, as well as Agios Efstratios, where 85% of the local energy stems from wind turbines and photovoltaics.

Greece also participates in the Green Shipping Challenge, an initiative launched during the World Leaders Summit of COP27 in 2022. In this framework and in consultation with the United States, Greece will host the 9th International Our Ocean Conference in Athens in 2024. 

Lastly, the International Energy Agency (IEA) praises Greece for its progress in the energy sector. In its latest report, it states that Greece has set new and ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while sharply reducing coal-fired energy generation. Additionally, the IEA report commends Greece for reforming its electricity and natural gas markets, expanding its cross-border interconnections, and for passing legislation to enable the development of offshore wind generation.

According to IEA’s latest report, the share of fossil fuels in energy supply in Greece fell from 90% (2010) to 82% (2021) of total energy supply, while the share of lignite-fired generation fell from 60% (2005) to 10% (2021), driving down the carbon intensity of electricity generation, mainly due to increased gas-fired generation & generation from wind and solar photovoltaics (PV). Greece is also a global leader in the use of solar thermal energy to cover building hot water demand.

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Greece’s Green Agenda on Energy and Climate; Green energy in Greece | The sustainable answer to climate and energy crisis; Chalki, the first Gr-Eco Island;The "Smart Green Island" of Astypalea;

N.M. (Based on an article from Greece In America, the official newsletter of the Embassy of Greece in Washington)

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