In his address to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Kostas Fragogiannis emphasized the significance that Greece attributes to the adoption and implementation of policies for a more effective response to the climate crisis and better preparedness against it, both at national and global level.
Mr. Fragogiannis, along with the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maira Myrogianni, participated in the delegation that represented Greece, accompanying Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the inaugural events of this year's COP28, held in Dubai between November 30 and December 12, 2023.
It is noted that this is the first year that Greece participates in the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference with a national pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the support of Enterprise Greece. During the Conference, the Greek pavilion will host more than 25 events, aiming to present Greece's positions and priorities on global environmental protection and sustainable development issues.
Mr. Fragogiannis, together with the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Alexandra Sdoukou, hosted the inaugural event of the Greek pavilion on Friday, December 1, at the presence of the Prime Minister, regarding the 9th "Our Ocean Conference," which will be held in Greece in April 2024. Mr. Fragogiannis emphasized Greece's particular sensitivity to issues of the seas as an insular nation. He also referred, inter alia, to Greece's special responsibility as a global leader in maritime transport regarding the decarbonization of shipping.
The Deputy Minister attended a significant event/presentation of the Greek government's project "GR-Eco Islands" for transforming the islands of Greece into models of sustainable development. The initiative includes the agreement signed on December 1, 2023, between the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Emirati renewable energy technology development company Masdar, for the financing of green infrastructure projects on the island of Poros.
On the afternoon of Friday, December 1, Mr. Fragogiannis and Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skylakakis, had an interesting fire-side chat with the UN-Habitat Global Chief Heat officer and Professor at the University of the Aegean, Lenio Myrivili, regarding Greece's policies for addressing climate change.
On Saturday, December 2, as the keynote speaker at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs event titled "Climate, Peace and Security: Lessening the Risk of Conflicts," the Deputy Minister emphasized the necessity and vitality of multilateral cooperation in addressing the climate crisis, prioritizing both mitigation and adaptation to climate change and strengthening the resilience of our natural and socio-economic systems.
On the sidelines of the Conference, Mr. Fragogiannis had meetings with executives of Greek enterprises participating in the Conference, as well as with officials of Emirati state investment funds developing activities in Greece.
December 4, 2023