Athens AgriBusiness Forum 2026

AgriΒusiness Forum 2026 | 8th international edition

The 8th International AgriBusiness Forum on the “Agri-Food Sector in the New Geopolitical Environment” will take place at Sarogleion Megaron, in Athens, on 18–19/3/2026. This edition examines geopolitical and environmental disruptions and their implications for agrifood systems in Greece and the world. Across 6 plenary sessions, distinguished representatives from academia, business, diplomacy, and the agricultural sector will address productivity, resilience, and food security in an era of climate crisis, geopolitical tensions, and heightened uncertainty.

  • In-person participation with a registration fee. Online attendance is complimentary. Registration is required for all means of participation
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Speakers

Dr. Stefanos Fotiou

Director, FAO’s Office SDGs | Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Dr. Marios Efthymiopoulos

Director, Strategy International | Professor, International Security & Strategy Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Lithuania

Dr. Aristeidis Samitas

Vice-Rector & Professor of Finance, National & Kapodistrian University

Dr. Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia

VIEW ALL SPEAKERS

Conference Agenda

Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Understanding the agri-food geopolitical landscape

09:30-10:30

Registrations

10:30-11:00

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS

photoDr. Spyridon Kintzios

Rector, Agricultural University of Athens
11:00-11:30

Field Reflections – The impact of the AgriBusiness Forum

AgriBusiness Forum footprint as of 2018 to date
Key takeaways from Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras
11:30-12:00

Fireside chat

Food Security in times of rising tensions and geopolitical risks

photoDr. Georges Prevelakis

Em. Professor of Geography & Geopolitics, Panthéon-Sorbonne University Paris-1

photoDr. Marios Efthymiopoulos

Director, Strategy International | Professor, International Security & Strategy Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Lithuania
12:00-12:15

Break

12:15-14:00

Chapter-1: The agri-food geopolitics in the Balkans, Black Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean

This session focuses on how evolving geopolitical dynamics are reshaping agri & food systems in the Balkans, Black Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean. From energy corridors and maritime routes to climate-induced tensions and the EU Green Deal, it assesses opportunities for cooperation, trade diversification, and regional stability. Session’s radar also includes actors’ initiatives for sustainable food production and agro-diplomacy in the regions.

photoMs. Carmen-Ileana Mihălcescu

Ambassador of Romania

photoMr. Stavros Avgoustides

Ambassador of Cyprus

photoMs. Luela Hajdaraga

Ambassador of Albania to Greece, Cyprus, Armenia and Tunisia

photoMr. Nabil Gangi

Dpt. Regional Representative for Europe & Central Asia, FAO United Nations

photoDr. Bengü Özge Şerifoğlu

Expert on Climate Change Risks & Adaptation, European Environment Agency

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoDr. Marios Efthymiopoulos

Director, Strategy International | Professor, International Security & Strategy Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Lithuania
14:00-14:15

Break

14:15-16:00

Chapter-2: The impact of global geopolitics on food security

Global food systems are increasingly shaped by geopolitical disruptions, being wars, trade tensions, migration, and resource nationalism. This session focuses on how these shifts threaten food access, pricing, and distribution, and also explores strategies for building food security and resilience through diversification, innovation, and international cooperation under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

photoDr. Stefanos Fotiou

Director, FAO’s Office SDGs | Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

photoMs. Laurence AUER

Ambassador of France

photoMr. Arif Mammadov

Ambassador of Azerbaijan

photoMr. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan

photoDr. Bebeb A.K. Nugraha Djundjunan

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia

photoMs. Alison Duncan

Ambassador of Australia to Greece, Romania and Bulgaria

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

Moderator

photoDr. Marios Efthymiopoulos

Director, Strategy International | Professor, International Security & Strategy Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Lithuania
16:00-16:15

Break

16:15-18:00

Chapter-3: AI, Data, Digital Transformation of the agrifood value chain

As digital transformation redefines global competitiveness, this session focuses on how AI, big data, and smart farming enhance productivity, traceability, and sustainability amid geopolitical uncertainty. It also explores digital sovereignty, cybersecurity in the agrifood value chain, and how technology and precision farming can help predict and mitigate geopolitical and environmental shocks.

photoProfessor Dan G. Blumberg

Vice-President for Regional & Industrial Development, Ben-Gurion University

photoDr. Spyridon Flogaitis

Director General, European Public Law Organization

photoDr. Pantelis Z. Lappas

AI Solutions Architect, Netcompany

photoDr. Nikolaos Thomaidis

Professor & VP Admin Council, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

photoDr. Konstantinos Demestichas

Ass. Professor, Dpt. Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens

photoMr. Fotis Chatzipapadopoulos

CEO, Smart Agro Hub

Moderator

photoMr. Panos Oplopoios

Journalist, Athens–Macedonian News Agency

Moderator

photoMr. Manolis Panagiotopoulos

Unit & CFS Lead, BAYER Crop Science Division
18:00-18:30

Sum-up & conclusions

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

photoDr. Thomas Bartzanas

Professor & Vice-Rector, Agricultural University of Athens
18:30-19:30

Networking reception

Conference delegates

20:00-22:00

RSVP exclusive reception (speakers - partners - sponsors)

by invitation only
In cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Greece

Thursday, March 19, 2026
Building Resilient & Sustainable agrifood futures

09:30-10:30

Registrations

10:30-11:00

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Ioannis Andrianos

Deputy Minister for Agriculture & Food • Εnvoy of the Prime Minister, K. Mitsotakis

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoDr. Emmanuel Flemetakis

Vice-Rector, Agricultural University of Athens • TerraMatrix 2025
11:00-12:30

Chapter 4: F2F Value Chains - Responsible Production, Responsible Consumption

This session integrates agrifood systems with industry and value-added products, as well as the end-users. It focuses on the interplays between food, culture, health and nutrition, contract farming with fair trade and labor standards, sustainable supply-chain resilience, transparency and ethical sourcing, also waste management and consumer behavior.

photoDr. Stefanos Fotiou

Director, FAO’s Office SDGs | Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS

photoDr. Antonia Trichopoulou

Academician, Professor Em. NKUA, School of Medicine |Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health YALE

photoMs. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

photoMs. Vasso Papadimitriou

Director General, Federation of Hellenic Food Industries

photoMr. Konstantinos Avramis

Rep. Hellenic Supermarkets Association

Moderator

photoMr. Alex Athanassoulas

CEO Stirixis Group, President SBC Greece

Moderator

photoDr. Dimitrios Skuras

Professor of Economics, University of Patras
12.30-12.45

Break

12:45-14:15

Chapter-5: Climate Crisis, Energy Transition, Food Production

As the climate emergency accelerates, the agrifood sector faces the dual challenge of decarbonization and adaptation. This session unveils the interconnection between food production, soil health, renewable energy, and climate-neutral agriculture. The angle of discussions also includes energy transition, green technologies, circular bioeconomy, and soil preservation approaches that reduce vulnerabilities and foster long-term sustainability.

photoMs. Despoina Paliarouta

Secretary General for Energy & Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment & Energy

photoDr. Oded Sagee

Founder, PlantExt & BreedIT

photoDr. Constantinos Cartalis

Professor of Environmental & Climate Physics, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

photoDr. George Zalidis

Professor Em. Aristotle University | Scientific Director i-BEC

photoDr. Dimitrios Drisis

Senior Advisor Europe, OATH BIOME

photoDr. Theodora Kouloura

COO, Dekagro Group of Companies

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
14:15-14:45

Break

14:45-16:00

Chapter-6: “Triple Helix” the agrifood jewel - Financial Instruments

Financing and strategic synergies are means to endure and advance the agrifood sector. This session explores green financing & blended instruments; Farming-academic-business collaboration; R&D commercialization in agrifood; Risk-mitigation tools; Scaling agrifood startups & clusters; Added value products; Capacity building; Upskilling & reskilling to address digital era requirements.

photoMr. Cobi Bitton

CEO, Israel-Greece Chamber of Commerce & Industry

photoDr. Thomas Bartzanas

Professor & Vice-Rector, Agricultural University of Athens

photoMr. Christos Yiannakakis

Vice President, National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives

photoMr. Athanasios Dedousis

Director, Agri Food Center of Excellence, Piraeus

photoDr. Aristeidis Samitas

Vice-Rector & Professor of Finance, National & Kapodistrian University

photoDr Petros Varelidis

Secretary General Natural Environment & Water, Ministry of Environment & Energy

Moderator

photoDr. Konstantinos Aliferis

Director, Laboratory of Pesticide Science, Agricultural University of Athens

Moderator

photoMs. Υioula Zachioti

Journalist, Huffpost Greece
16:00-16:15

Sum-up & conclusions

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoDr. Thomas Bartzanas

Professor & Vice-Rector, Agricultural University of Athens
16:15-16:45

MoUs Signing Ceremony

19:00-21:00

RSVP farewell reception (speakers - partners - sponsors)

by invitation only
In cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Albania to Greece

Practical information

  • Participation :
    • In-person attendance: with a registration fee. E-registration required
    • Virtual attendance: complimentary. E-registration required
  • Setup: Panel discussion. Audience setup: theater
  • Official language: Greek with simultaneous translation to/from English
  • Interaction:chapters include 30-mins dialogue and Q&A session between the panels and the audience
  • Sponsorships opportunities:c/o Ms. Christina Mangou (christina.mangou@geo-routes.com)

Platinum Sponsors

Sponsors

Supporters

Institutional Partners

Steering Partners

Scientific Partners

Media & Communication

Organizer

Venue Information

Conference Venue

Sarogleion Megaron

Travel Information

Getting to/from Athens

ABF2025 ATHENS

About Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025, entitled “The Future of Thessaly agriculture in Green & Digital Era”, will be held on 30 September-2 October 2025 at the Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa, in cooperation with the Region of Thessaly and the Municipality of Larissa. It will feature 9 sessions and 60 speakers from Greece & beyond, gathering businesses, farmers, cooperatives, academia, and policymakers to delve into meaningful dialogue & debates for the future of Thessaly’s agriculture.

REGISTER

Speakers

Dr. Dimitris Goussios

Professor, Planning & Rural Development

Dr. Nicholas Dercas

Professor Agricultural University of Athens, President Thessaly Water Management Organization SA

Mr. Christos Kellas

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rural Development & Food

Ms. Vicki Douma

CEO Douma Vital Farm | Bio Breeding Farmer

VIEW ALL SPEAKERS

Agenda

Tuesday 30/9/2025

13.30-14.00

Welcome remarks

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum
14.00-15.30

Chapter-1: Financial Instruments, Primary sector & Tourism, Exports

Agrifood & tourism integration; Branding maturity; SMEs access to global markets; Agricultural inputs/environmental safety; Funding and Banks

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

photoMs. Anastasia Adamopoulou

Vice Governor Tourism, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Dimitris Tsetsilas

Vice Governor Primary Sector & Agricultural Economy, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos

Mandate Manager Greece-Cyprus, European Investment Fund

photoDr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF-Helexpo

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
15.30-16.00

Break

16.00-17.30

Chapter-2: Value chains’ responsible & sustainable entrepreneurship

Chambers-Associations and development; Financing-Entrepreneurship & ESGs; Clusters & incubators; Human/labor workforce upskilling & reskilling; Key-players’ strategies

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS

photoMr. Christos Giakouvis

President , Chamber of Larissa

photoMr. Panos Tournavitis

CEO & Executive member of the BoD, Karditsa Cooperative Bank LLC

photoMs. Ioanna-Alexandra Saitis

CEO Intercomm Foods SA, General Secretary of Association of Thessalian Enterprises & Industries

photoMs. Ismini Papakirillou

Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Development Bank

photoMr. Stelios Sarantis

President Hellenic Dairies SA, BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
17.30-18.00

Break

18.00-19.30

Chapter-3: Executive Roundtable “Policy talks”

Parties’ priorities for Thessaly’s agricultural sector (subsidies, irrigation, water management, cooperatives); Rural entrepreneurship, demographic regeneration; Farmers’ access to markets, knowledge and technology; Long-term vision & strategy for Greece’s agriculture

Panelists are solely from political parties having served at State’s administration

photoMr. Christos Kellas

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rural Development & Food

photoMr. Sokratis Famellos

President, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
19:30 - 20:30

Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Wednesday 1/10/2025

10.00-10.30

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoMr. Athanasios Mamakos

Mayor of Larissa
10.30-12.00

Chapter-4: Transformative Innovation: Towards a development roadmap for Thessaly AgriFood Sector

Smart Specialization; Agrifood Complex; Regional Innovation Policy; Systemic Approaches; Multilevel Governance

photoDr. Stathis Arapostathis

Professor, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

photoMr. Panayiotis Kalfountzos

Managing Director, Thessaly Agricultural Cooperative ThesGi

photoMr. Antonis Politis

Director Communications, Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora-Pelion

photoDr. Dimitris Goussios

Professor, Planning & Rural Development

photoDr. Dimitris Vlachostergios

Director, Institute of Industrial & Forage Crops, ELGO-DIMITRA

Moderator

photoDr. Yiannis Tolias

Managing Partner, Innovatia Systems

Moderator

photoDr. Dimitrios Stavridis

Director General of Agricultural Economy & Veterinary Services, Thessaly Region
12.00-12.30

Break

12.30-14.00

Chapter-5: Innovation, Synergies, New Technologies in primary production

Added value products; The triple helix between farming-academia-business sectors; AI & digital technologies from production to consumption; The future of precision farming

photoMr. Vaios Ganis

Winemaker, Vaios Ganis Organic Wines

photoMr. Geert Wilms

Director, LIB/ZLTO (South Holland Farmers Organization)

photoDr. Fotios Tekos

CEO, FoodOxys

photoMr. Dimitris Rousseas

President Hellenic Fertilizers Association, General Manager ΚNE BRANDT

photoMr. Nikos Gousios

President, Enipeas Cooperative

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoDr. Nikolaos Asproulis

Dpt. Director, Volos Academy for Theological Studies
14.00-14.30

Break

14.30-16.00

Chapter-6: Livestock & Dairy industry, Biosafety

Animal diseases & biosafety; Illegal imports; Livestock subsidies; Feed resilience in times of crises; High-quality animal products & exports

photoDr. Ioannis Kaimakamis

Cattle Breeding Farmer, Agribusiness Consultant-Grant Thornton | Executive Vice President OPEKEPE

photoMr. Alexandros Triantafyllou

Vice-President VIOZOKAT SA

photoMs. Ioanna Karra

Breeder & Co-Founder, Stalos farm

photoMr. Yiannis Bouras

President, Hellenic Pig Farmers Association

photoMs. Vicki Douma

CEO Douma Vital Farm | Bio Breeding Farmer

photoMr. Panagiotis Tsiampalis

Operations Director, Veterinary Public Health, Region of Thessaly

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
16.00-16.30

Break

16.30-18.00

Chapter-7: Water management, Climate, Environment, Energy

Measures to address water scarcity in Thessaly; Climate crisis, agricultural production, adaptation; Critical infrastructure for Thessaly agriculture: Circular economy-energy autonomy in agricultural facilities

photoDr. Theofanis Gemtos

Professor Em., Farm Mechanization, Thessaly University

photoDr. Konstantinos Tsimpoukas

Professor Agribusiness Management, Agricultural University of Athens

photoDr. Nicholas Dercas

Professor Agricultural University of Athens, President Thessaly Water Management Organization SA

photoMr. Vasileios Moraitis

Operations Manager, APOSTEIROSI SA (c/o Helector-Motor Oil group), BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

photoDr. Alex Papachatzis

Head, Dep. Agricultural Agrotechnology, Thessaly University

Moderator

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

Moderator

photoDr. Athanasios Loukas

Professor of Hydrology & Water Resources, Aristotle University
18.00-18.15

Break

18.15-19.30

Chapter-8: Executive Roundtable “Thessaly meets the world”

Thessaly’s profile abroad; Invest in know-how transferability to Thessaly; EU green transition and Thessaly; Cross-border opportunities & cooperation; Thessaly agrifood connection with high-quality tourism; Labor workforce

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoMr. Arif Mammadov

Ambassador of Azerbaijan

photoMs. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

photoMr. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
19.30-20.30

End of the programme, Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Thursday 2/10/2025

10.30-15.00

Field visit programme

The technical fiield-visit will take place at Enipeas Agricultural Cooperative, Farsala
For the detailed program and information for participation, visit online PRACTICAL INFORMATION - FIELD VISIT

Remarks

  • Participation: with a registration fee. E-registration and accreditation are required
  • Setup: Panel discussion. Audience setup: theater
  • Official language: Greek with simultaneous translation to/from English

Platinum Sponsors

Sponsors

Supporters

Steering Partners

Expertise Partners

Auspices

Co-Organizor

Organizor

Venue Information

Conference Venue

Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa

Travel Information

Getting to/from Larissa

Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

About Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025

Thessaly AgriBusiness Forum 2025 entitled “The Future of Thessaly agriculture in the Green & Digital Era” will be held on 30/9-2/10/2025 at the Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa, be consisted of 8 high caliber sessions with 40 speakers from Greece & beyond be addressed to producers, cooperatives, businesses, academia, & policymakers, and be supported by the Region of Thessaly, Larissa Municipality, the Chamber of Larissa, the Association of Thessaly & Central Greece Industries, Larissa Industries Association, and is under the Auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

REGISTER

Speakers

Dr. Fotios Tekos

CEO, FoodOxys

Mr. Stelios Sarantis

President Hellenic Dairies SA, BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

Mr. Vasileios Moraitis

Operations Manager, APOSTEIROSI SA (c/o Helector-Motor Oil group), BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

Ms. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

VIEW ALL SPEAKERS

Agenda

Tuesday 30/9/2025

13.30-14.00

Welcome remarks

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum
14.00-15.30

Chapter-1: Financial Instruments, Primary sector & Tourism, Exports

Agrifood & tourism integration; Branding maturity; SMEs access to global markets; Agricultural inputs/environmental safety; Funding and Banks

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

photoMs. Anastasia Adamopoulou

Vice Governor Tourism, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Dimitris Tsetsilas

Vice Governor Primary Sector & Agricultural Economy, Region of Thessaly

photoMr. Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos

Mandate Manager Greece-Cyprus, European Investment Fund

photoDr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF-Helexpo

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
15.30-16.00

Break

16.00-17.30

Chapter-2: Value chains’ responsible & sustainable entrepreneurship

Chambers-Associations and development; Financing-Entrepreneurship & ESGs; Clusters & incubators; Human/labor workforce upskilling & reskilling; Key-players’ strategies

photoMs. Alexandra Palli-Giannakopoulou

Chair of the Board, CSR HELLAS

photoMr. Christos Giakouvis

President , Chamber of Larissa

photoMr. Panos Tournavitis

CEO & Executive member of the BoD, Karditsa Cooperative Bank LLC

photoMs. Ioanna-Alexandra Saitis

CEO Intercomm Foods SA, General Secretary of Association of Thessalian Enterprises & Industries

photoMs. Ismini Papakirillou

Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Development Bank

photoMr. Stelios Sarantis

President Hellenic Dairies SA, BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
17.30-18.00

Break

18.00-19.30

Chapter-3: Executive Roundtable “Policy talks”

Parties’ priorities for Thessaly’s agricultural sector (subsidies, irrigation, water management, cooperatives); Rural entrepreneurship, demographic regeneration; Farmers’ access to markets, knowledge and technology; Long-term vision & strategy for Greece’s agriculture

Panelists are solely from political parties having served at State’s administration

photoMr. Christos Kellas

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rural Development & Food

photoMr. Sokratis Famellos

President, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist

Moderator

photoMr. Sotiris Polyzos

General Manager, TRT News
19:30 - 20:30

Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Wednesday 1/10/2025

10.00-10.30

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

photoMr. Athanasios Mamakos

Mayor of Larissa
10.30-12.00

Chapter-4: Transformative Innovation: Towards a development roadmap for Thessaly AgriFood Sector

Smart Specialization; Agrifood Complex; Regional Innovation Policy; Systemic Approaches; Multilevel Governance

photoDr. Stathis Arapostathis

Professor, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

photoMr. Panayiotis Kalfountzos

Managing Director, Thessaly Agricultural Cooperative ThesGi

photoMr. Antonis Politis

Director Communications, Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora-Pelion

photoDr. Dimitris Goussios

Professor, Planning & Rural Development

photoDr. Dimitris Vlachostergios

Director, Institute of Industrial & Forage Crops, ELGO-DIMITRA

Moderator

photoDr. Yiannis Tolias

Managing Partner, Innovatia Systems

Moderator

photoDr. Dimitrios Stavridis

Director General of Agricultural Economy & Veterinary Services, Thessaly Region
12.00-12.30

Break

12.30-14.00

Chapter-5: Innovation, Synergies, New Technologies in primary production

Added value products; The triple helix between farming-academia-business sectors; AI & digital technologies from production to consumption; The future of precision farming

photoMr. Vaios Ganis

Winemaker, Vaios Ganis Organic Wines

photoMr. Geert Wilms

Director, LIB/ZLTO (South Holland Farmers Organization)

photoDr. Fotios Tekos

CEO, FoodOxys

photoMr. Dimitris Rousseas

President Hellenic Fertilizers Association, General Manager ΚNE BRANDT

photoMr. Nikos Gousios

President, Enipeas Cooperative

Moderator

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation

Moderator

photoDr. Nikolaos Asproulis

Dpt. Director, Volos Academy for Theological Studies
14.00-14.30

Break

14.30-16.00

Chapter-6: Livestock & Dairy industry, Biosafety

Animal diseases & biosafety; Illegal imports; Livestock subsidies; Feed resilience in times of crises; High-quality animal products & exports

photoDr. Ioannis Kaimakamis

Cattle Breeding Farmer, Agribusiness Consultant-Grant Thornton | Executive Vice President OPEKEPE

photoMr. Alexandros Triantafyllou

Vice-President VIOZOKAT SA

photoMs. Ioanna Karra

Breeder & Co-Founder, Stalos farm

photoMr. Yiannis Bouras

President, Hellenic Pig Farmers Association

photoMs. Vicki Douma

CEO Douma Vital Farm | Bio Breeding Farmer

photoMr. Panagiotis Tsiampalis

Operations Director, Veterinary Public Health, Region of Thessaly

Moderator

photoDr. Angeliki Kavga

Professor, Agricultural Science, University of Patras

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
16.00-16.30

Break

16.30-18.00

Chapter-7: Water management, Climate, Environment, Energy

Measures to address water scarcity in Thessaly; Climate crisis, agricultural production, adaptation; Critical infrastructure for Thessaly agriculture: Circular economy-energy autonomy in agricultural facilities

photoDr. Theofanis Gemtos

Professor Em., Farm Mechanization, Thessaly University

photoDr. Konstantinos Tsimpoukas

Professor Agribusiness Management, Agricultural University of Athens

photoDr. Nicholas Dercas

Professor Agricultural University of Athens, President Thessaly Water Management Organization SA

photoMr. Vasileios Moraitis

Operations Manager, APOSTEIROSI SA (c/o Helector-Motor Oil group), BoD member Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece

photoDr. Alex Papachatzis

Head, Dep. Agricultural Agrotechnology, Thessaly University

Moderator

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, Managing Director Syngenta Hellas

Moderator

photoDr. Athanasios Loukas

Professor of Hydrology & Water Resources, Aristotle University
18.00-18.15

Break

18.15-19.30

Chapter-8: Executive Roundtable “Thessaly meets the world”

Thessaly’s profile abroad; Invest in know-how transferability to Thessaly; EU green transition and Thessaly; Cross-border opportunities & cooperation; Thessaly agrifood connection with high-quality tourism; Labor workforce

photoDr. Demetrios Kouretas

Governor of Thessaly

photoMr. Arif Mammadov

Ambassador of Azerbaijan

photoMs. Nahida Rahman Shumona

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

photoMr. Timur Sultangozhin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony Papayannides

Journalist
19.30-20.30

End of the programme, Delegates' networking reception at the venue

21.00-22.30

Speakers & Partners off-site welcome reception (by invitation only)

Thursday 2/10/2025

10.30-15.00

Field visit programme

The technical fiield-visit will take place at Enipeas Agricultural Cooperative, Farsala
For the detailed program and information for participation, visit online PRACTICAL INFORMATION - FIELD VISIT

Remarks

  • Participation: with a registration fee. E-registration and accreditation are required
  • Official language: Greek with simultaneous translation to/from English

Platinum Sponsors

Sponsors

Supporters

Steering Partners

Contributors

Auspices

Co-Organizor

Organizor

Venue Information

Conference Venue

Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa

Travel Information

Getting to/from Larissa