Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou at the 14th Regional Growth Conference
“Greece as a Global Leader in the Sustainable Blue Economy”

Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Special Envoy of the Greek Prime Minister for the Oceans, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, and Member of Parliament for Ilia, participated in the 14th Regional Growth Conference (RGC 2026) at the University of Patras, presenting a comprehensive overview of Greece’s national and international ocean strategy.

During the session entitled “Blue Growth: Sea and Economy – The Next Wave of Development,” moderated by Ms. Pavlina Proteou, Dr. Avgerinopoulou highlighted Greece’s decisive role in shaping the modern blue economy, emphasizing that the country is not merely a participant but a global frontrunner.

She noted that Greece currently controls more than 20% of global merchant shipping and, together with Cyprus, accounts for 80% of the European Union’s shipping sector. With one of the world’s top ten coastlines, Greece combines strong island connectivity with a dynamic coastal economy, ranging from high-quality maritime tourism to high-value fisheries exporting products to markets such as South Korea.

Dr. Avgerinopoulou stressed that the transition toward sustainable blue growth is now imperative, as the Mediterranean carries 20% of global maritime traffic while facing severe pressures from plastic pollution despite representing only 1% of the world’s oceans.

Within this context, Greece has undertaken leading initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Dr. Avgerinopoulou referred to the commitments exceeding $800 million announced during the “Our Ocean Conference 2024,” as well as the landmark creation of two new national marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Through these actions, Greece has already achieved protection of 35.6% of its waters, significantly exceeding the global 30×30 target for 2030, leading to its invitation by President Emmanuel Macron to participate in the global “Ocean Pioneers” initiative.

Particular emphasis was placed on the energy and technological transformation taking place in Greek seas. Dr. Avgerinopoulou highlighted that renewable energy sources now account for more than 50% of Greece’s electricity consumption, while the sea offers new opportunities through offshore wind farms, wave energy, and the development of “hydrogen islands.” She also referred to infrastructure projects such as cold ironing for shore-side electrification of ships, as well as the broader transformation of maritime tourism through sustainable fuels, eco-friendly shipbuilding materials, and green marinas.

She further illustrated how invasive species such as lionfish and pufferfish could become opportunities for innovative pharmaceuticals and cosmetics production.

Closing her remarks, Dr. Avgerinopoulou presented the financing roadmap for the blue economy, referring to the €1 billion European Ocean Pact investment package with more than 90 actions covering marine protection, ocean science, blue economy development, and support for coastal and island regions, as well as Defense and Space Cluster funding for ocean observation through space technologies.

She emphasized that although substantial resources are available through the European Investment Bank and relevant ministries, success ultimately depends on effective coordination and the implementation of innovative projects by academia and the business community. Concluding on a personal note, she stated that the sea is deeply connected to human well-being and reaffirmed her commitment to protecting this valuable national asset.

The discussion also included Mr. Aristofanis Stefatos (CEO, HHRM), Ms. Elisavet Hatzigaki (Hatzigaki Foundation), and Mr. Gerasimos Gerolymatos (CEO, Ondeck).