The Sixth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit

Leading up to 2030: connectivity and growth for south-east Europe

Amidst global geopolitical turbulence, and profound societal and technological changes, south-east Europe and the eastern Mediterranean are gaining increasing importance for Europe’s security, due to their proximity to conflict zones, but also for Europe’s energy security. The broader region can respond to geopolitical fragmentation by acting as a bridge to connect regions, countries, peoples, and cultures.

The ongoing upgrade of infrastructure and networks across Northern Greece combined with major energy projects currently underway are set to contribute decisively to Greece’s efforts towards a more resilient growth model. At the same time, the city of Thessaloniki is undergoing a promising transformation. A series of major projects will help reshape the city, while in recent years it has also succeeded in attracting global technology leaders. Looking ahead, the ambition is for the city to elevate its position as a true metropolitan hub of south-east Europe.

Within this context, the Economist Enterprise’s Sixth Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit, entitled “Powering connectivity, unlocking growth”, which is going to take place on September 3rd and 4th 2026 in Thessaloniki, will bring together prominent leaders and experts from Greece, Europe, and the international organisations, who will explore some of the major issues facing the wider south-east European region.

 In partnership with