In 2023, a pivotal year marked by electoral processes aimed at rebuilding citizens' trust and addressing past weaknesses, the "Third Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit: New Roadmap After the Election - Building Dependable Partnerships in the Region" took center stage. Organized by The Economist Impact Events for Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Southeast Europe, the event convened luminaries from across Greece to engage with the new Greek government, officials, and business leaders. The summit spotlighted the vital role of Northern Greece, with Thessaloniki as its epicenter, in fostering collaborations and partnerships for stability and prosperity in Southeast Europe. Notably, the area is fast becoming a magnet for energy initiatives, investments in productive sectors, and the establishment of research and technology hubs, all of which are poised to harness the potential of the highly educated Greek youth.

Amongst the invited luminaries was Dr. Kostas Axarloglou, who participated in an in-depth conversation entitled “Northern Greece: A Potential Tech Pioneer and Hub,” alongside distinguished panelists including Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance for Greece, Yanna Andronopoulou, General Manager of Microsoft Greece, Cyprus and Malta, Vagelis Gorilas, Head of Public Sector at Vodafone Greece and Alexandros Bregiannis CEO of Nova ICT.

Dr. Axarloglou commenced his talk with a compelling story. He transported the audience back to 2015 when a luminary guest from Harvard addressed the medical department of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, laying the foundation for the region’s technological ascent and Thessaloniki becoming a thriving Tech Hub.

In his speech, Dr. Axarloglou emphasized key fundamentals supporting the growth of Northern Greece as a technology hub. First, he highlighted the significance of technology and innovation in transforming various aspects of life, making location both relevant and irrelevant. In this context, improvements in infrastructure, including airports, transportation networks, ports, and the expansion of housing and office spaces, were identified as essential drivers of growth. Second, Dr. Axarloglou emphasized a significant challenge that must be addressed—the imperative need for a talented and prepared workforce. He stressed that tackling this challenge necessitates the creation of creative ecosystems involving not only the government and businesses but also academia and other stakeholders. Notably, he cited the proactive engagement of major companies like Microsoft and Vodafone, acknowledging their awareness of the rapidly evolving tech landscape and their initiatives to equip individuals with skills that remain relevant despite the rapid pace of technological advancement.

In conclusion, Dr. Axarloglou drew attention to a shared commonality among all the panel luminaries, highlighting their collective effort when he stated: “All the luminaries of the panel share something common; they share the same vision and reality!” He emphasized that achieving the required upskilling and reskilling of the workforce requires collaboration between academic institutions and the local community by offering the essential foundation for enhancing employability and bridging the skills gap.

Dr. Axarloglou's insights at the Thessaloniki Summit illuminated the promising future of Thessaloniki and Northern Greece as a technological powerhouse poised to serve our economy. The challenge ahead lies in effectively leveraging the region's abundant resources, skilled workforce, and strategic geographical location to transform Southeast Europe's vast potential into a tangible reality. By harnessing these assets and fostering collaboration, we can pave the way for sustained stability and shared prosperity, benefiting both current and future generations.

Watch Dr Axarloglou's speech below: