Once again the annual Greek-British Symposium, now in its 8th edition, was held, this time in Thessaloniki on October 10-12. This year’s Symposium examined the global supply chains in an age of geo-political uncertainty from a South-Eastern European perspective. The Symposium, which was organised by the British Embassy in Athens in cooperation with the Greek Embassy in London and backed by the Delphi Economic Forum and the British Council, attracted a select number of senior executives and top experts from Greece and the UK.
Once again the annual Greek-British Symposium, now in its 8th edition, was held, this time in Thessaloniki on October 10-12. This year’s Symposium examined the global supply chains in an age of geo-political uncertainty from a South-Eastern European perspective. The Symposium, which was organised by the British Embassy in Athens in cooperation with the Greek Embassy in London and backed by the Delphi Economic Forum and the British Council, attracted a select number of senior executives and top experts from Greece and the UK.
Prevailing themes which were covered in the Symposium included the strategic and geopolitical supply challenges and the issues which confront industry in this respect, securing ample energy, moving things about and the role of Greece in SE Europe. A thought provoking address on Serbia’s “lithium treasure -solution or problem” was contributed by Journalist and Author Misha Glenny at the official dinner.
The panel on energy most appropriately titled, “ securing ample energy” was chaired by Costis Stambolis, Chairman and Executive Director of the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE). Panelists included the following well known executives and academics: George Alexopoulos, Deputy CEO of Helleniq Energy, Pantelis Biskas, Professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Nick Butler, Visiting Professor & Chair at King’s Policy Institute, King’s College London, Apostolos Gkoutzinis, Partner, Millbank LLP and Glen Suarez, Chairman, Knight Vince Asset Management.
Mr. Vassilis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Athens Medical Group contributed a video message stressing the importance of clean energy in today’s fast moving technology oriented society.
The panel discussion covered a diverse range of issues including the role of oil companies and refiners in particular in the energy transition, the new generation of e fuels and CO2 sequestration ( George Alexopoulos), the ever rising global energy demand and its causes and the ongoing strife in promoting appropriate solutions (Nick Butler), the conundrum with highly volatile electricity prices in Greece and SE Europe ( Pandelis Biskas, the hugely important legal and financing issues involved in energy transition without resolution of which progress towards viable solutions is really hampered ( Apostolos Gkoutzinis) and the great promise of renewable energy in covering a substantial part of energy demand provided that adequate energy storage is foreseen( Glen Suarez)
On the whole this latest Greek-British Symposium proved once again a really worthwhile and fruitful meeting ground bringing together some first class thinkers from different backgrounds. At the same time the Symposium helped cement further the ongoing cooperation between Greek and British institutions, companies,academia and professionals.
