Europe’s Energy future takes center stage in Athens: Key speakers at this Year’s Financial Times conference
The international conference Energy Transition Summit: East Med & Southeast Europe returns to Athens on May 13–14, 2026, reaffirming its position as one of the leading platforms for dialogue on the energy future of the wider region.
Athens, May 11, 2026 – For the second consecutive year, the Financial Times Live and “Kathimerini” are bringing together government officials, institutional representatives, heads of international organizations, investors, and senior executives from the global energy industry at a time when geopolitical balances and energy priorities are rapidly evolving.
Throughout the conference, participants will examine the conditions required to build a more resilient and sustainable energy model, with a focus on security of supply, accelerating the green transition, and maintaining the competitiveness of regional economies. Discussions will cover a broad range of topics, from energy interconnections and LNG infrastructure to grid resilience and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital twins for more efficient energy system management. Key issues including financing the energy transition, critical raw materials, supply chains, and investment opportunities across the region will also be at the forefront of the agenda.
The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will officially open the conference, highlighting the country’s strategic role as a pillar of energy stability and regional cooperation, in a discussion with Financial Times journalist Ben Hall.
Representatives from the international political and diplomatic arena, including the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, the European Union Special Representative for the Gulf, Luigi Di Maio, and Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sharren Haskel, will address the evolving geopolitical and energy dynamics in the region. The conference will also feature Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), who will provide an international perspective on accelerating the energy transition and the role of renewable energy in the new global energy landscape.
At the ministerial panel titled “Delivering 2030: Leadership Commitments for the East Med Transition,” Ministers of Energy and Infrastructure from Southeast European countries will present their governments’ strategies and commitments toward the 2030 targets, with emphasis on cross-border projects, attracting investment, and regional policy coordination.
The participation of Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, also holds a prominent place in the program. Special interest is also expected around the discussion between Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) and President of the Neptune Group of Companies, and Alexis Papachelas, Executive Editor of “Kathimerini.”
The participation of Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, further underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure as a cornerstone of Europe’s energy strategy in the years ahead.
From the perspective of the economy and the financial sector, the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Yannis Stournaras, is expected to highlight the need for a stable investment environment and the importance of green financing tools in strengthening economic resilience.
With the participation of leading decision-makers from politics, energy, finance, and technology, the Energy Transition Summit: East Med & Southeast Europe aims to highlight both the major opportunities and the critical challenges shaping the region’s next chapter, while actively contributing to the development of new partnerships and strategies for a more sustainable energy future.
More information: Energy Transition Summit: East Med & Southeast Europe