TSS2024 Sustainable Development Summit «Path to the Future Summit»
In September 2024, the TSS2024 Sustainable Development Summit «Path to the Future Summit» was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, and was scheduled to be held during the regular session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The goal of TSS2024 was to unite the efforts of scientists, local administration, politicians, entrepreneurs and other grantholders in discussing the path to the Future Summit. The international nature of the annual Thessaloniki Fair provided an excellent opportunity for experts from all over the world to come together.
The theme of the TSS2024 Summit aims to contribute to the UN Summit in an effort to reach a new international consensus on how a better present can be provided and how the future can be protected.
At the opening ceremony, Prof. Charalambos Feidas, Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Prof. Dr. Johannes Orphal from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Monika Frank, Consul General of Germany in Thessaloniki, addressed the summit participants with welcoming speeches.
The first session was dedicated to the official presentation of the first edition of the Black Sea Sustainable Development Report. The moderator was the Chair of the Black Sea Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Black Sea), Prof. Nicolas Theodossiu.
The opening remarks were presented by Adolf Klock-Lechsch, Co-Chair of SDSN Europe, Associate Member of the German Society for Development and Sustainability (IDOS) via videoconference.
The key points of the Report on Sustainable Development were presented by Charis Stavridis (Greece), Prof. Grigoris Zarotiadis (Greece) and Prof. Nicolas Theodossiu.
The Summit continued with a round table discussion on the paths to the Future UN Summit. The moderator was Prof. G. Zarotiadis, Member of the SDSN Black Sea Steering Committee.
Prof. Fosbe Koundouri from the Athens University of Economics and Business, Co-Chair of SDSN Greece and SDSN Europe, delivered an introductory speech via videoconference.
The following took part in the exchange of views and proposals for submission of materials to the Future UN Summit:
- Prof. Eden Mamut from Ovidius University, Constanta (Romania), Secretary General of the Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN);
- Angelika Mihajlov, former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Serbia;
- Prof. Serhiy Belikov, Rector of ZNTU (1997-2021), Member of the Governing Board of the Black Sea SDSN;
- Maryna Stefanova, Vice-Dean of Sofiia University (Bulgaria);
- Prof. Dimitr Dimitrov, Rector of the University of National and World Economy, Co-Chair of SDSN Bulgaria.
The closing event was a joint session hosted by the German-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as part of TSS2024, organized by the Black Sea SDSN on the occasion of the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair.
The welcome speech was delivered by Theodoros Papadonoulos, Mayor of the Municipality of Thermi.
The discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. Eng. Nicolas Moussilopoudos from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, member of the Black Sea SDSN Governing Board.
The following exchanged views:
- Prof. Dr. Johannes Orfar from the Institute of Technology Karlsruhe;
- Dr. Eng. Alexandros Yafantis, President of the Hellenic Association of Biogas Producers;
- Michael Kravtsich, International Sales Manager, OEKOBIT GmbH.
Summing up the participation in the summit events, it can be noted that experts indeed determine that the main global shocks of recent years are:
- COVID19 pandemic;
- triple planetary crisis (climate change, pollution, biodiversity);
- war in Ukraine.
Given the issues discussed, the Summit participants supported the thesis of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who noted: «We cannot build a future for our grandchildren based on a system built for our great-grandfathers.»
