Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2018
Leadership | Economics | Synergies
30 May - 1 June 2018 | Athens, Greece
Four international initiatives put Balkan & CEE region in the center of gravity for investments and geopolitical interest to world’s superpowers. This message was highlighted by the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum (BBSF) in a presentation to numerous high representatives from the diplomatic, organizations and businesses world, at the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 12th 2017.
The next edition of the international rotating Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum takes place in Thessaloniki, Greece. During 3 consecutive days, May 30th to June 1st 2018, BBSF identifies, strengthens and promotes economic relations, business opportunities, cross‐border cooperation and sustainable growth & development across Balkans and Black Sea region.
Deputy Minister of Economy & Development Mr. Stergios Pitsiorlas, member of BBSF’s Advisory Committee referred to the EU, China, Russia and other superpower’s interests in the Balkans and the Black Sea region, emphasizing that “business initiatives will lead to resolving political issues”. Vice Chair BBSF Steering Committee, Ms. Siwarde Sap presented the initiatives in progress, such as the EU Western Balkan initiative (The Berlin Process 2014), the Balkan Silk Road and China-CEE 16+1 initiative (BRI 2013), as well as the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum initiative (2016). The Chair of BBSF Organizing Committee, Mr. Giannis Balakakis announced the agenda, the bodies/organizations supporting BBSF and presented the opportunities about networking and deepening economic cooperation during the dates of the conference.
BBSF2018 highlights “Rail, Road, Rivers Connectivity to the EU via Balkans region” along with its regular topics, namely: EU-Balkans-Black Sea perspectives | SDGs 2030 l Energy l Maritime l Digital Economy l Culture | Sustainable Tourism l Education & Innovation l Green Growth & Circular Economy l Women in leadership.
To this powerful platform where leading business- and policy makers exchange views to transform ideas into reality, in Thessaloniki-Greece, 55 international speakers and 500 delegates will interact on economy, business, institutional affairs and rule of law. Alongside the conference, B2B meetings coordinated by Enterprise Greece, as well as a sponsor’s exhibition center for networking opportunities will be available.
BBSF is supported by a number of international organizations such as BSEC, BSTDB, CPMR, UNWomen, EBF, EC DG Environment, UNWTO, UNESCO etc. Being in Greece, local partners are the Hellenic Ministry of Economy & Development, Thessaloniki City and TIF-Helexpo and held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hellenic Ministry of Tourism.
The official announcement on the hosting City/Country for the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum in 2019 will take place on June 1st 2018 during the closing ceremony of BBSF2018 in Greece. Moreover, as of 2019, BBSF will conduct one-topic conferences e.g. on Agribusiness in the BBSF region.
Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum profile
Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum is an independent, nongovernmental and nonpartisan platform powered by private & public institutions and supported by a number of international & regional organizations, aiming at identifying, strengthening & promoting economic relations, business opportunities, cross‐border cooperation and sustainable growth & development across the Balkans, the Black Sea region and beyond.
An annually rotating international think-tank reflecting a region of 18 countries and 370 million people, fostering dialogue & cooperation to bridging differences and exploiting opportunities for cohesion, capacity building and business models transferability.
A powerful economic networking platform, where leading business- & policy makers exchange views to transform ideas into reality, among high profile delegates from international and regional businesses & organizations as well as diplomats and academia.
BBSF key features are the multidisciplinary sessions to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the region (EU, Balkans, Black Sea perspectives, SDGs 2030, Digital Economy, Energy, Women in leadership, Circular Economy, Agriculture, Culture, Sustainable Tourism, Maritime, Transports, Higher Education), whilst businesses lying at the forefront of the organization, provided full floor for corporate outreach, networking events, exhibiting opportunities, B2B Meetings, a Business Summit etc.
For more information
Ms. Christina Mangou
Organizing Committee
Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum
Christina-mangou@geo-routes.com
