Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on Greeks around the world to play an active role in shaping the country’s future as he addressed The Hellenic Initiative’s (THI) ATHINA26 event at the Acropolis Museum on Wednesday, describing the Greek diaspora as one of the nation’s greatest strengths.
Speaking before diaspora leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and supporters of Greece, Mitsotakis thanked The Hellenic Initiative for its decade-long support for the country and emphasized that strengthening ties with Greeks abroad remains a national priority.
“The Greek diaspora has always stood by Greece in moments of need, but today our relationship is evolving into a partnership for the future,” Mitsotakis said, underscoring the role that Greeks abroad can play in the country’s continued economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
ATHINA26 aims to unite the global Greek community
The event marked the launch of ATHINA26, a new flagship initiative by The Hellenic Initiative that seeks to bring together leaders from business, technology, academia, philanthropy and civil society to help shape Greece’s future.
Founded in 2012 in the aftermath of Greece’s financial crisis, THI has supported numerous programs focused on economic development, entrepreneurship, education, and social welfare. ATHINA26 builds on that mission by creating a platform for sustained collaboration between Greece and its worldwide diaspora, culminating in a major gathering in Athens in 2026.
Organizers described the initiative as an opportunity to harness the expertise, experience, and global networks of Greeks and friends of Greece to address challenges facing the country while creating new opportunities for investment, innovation, and international cooperation.
Greece seeks deeper engagement with its diaspora
In his remarks, Mitsotakis said Greece has undergone significant transformation over the past several years, pointing to economic recovery, digital modernization, and growing international confidence in the country.
He encouraged members of the diaspora not only to maintain their cultural and emotional ties to Greece but also to engage more directly in its future through investment and entrepreneurship as well as civic participation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted reforms that have made it easier for eligible Greeks living abroad to participate in national elections, urging members of the diaspora to exercise that right in the next parliamentary vote.
His comments echoed the government’s broader strategy of strengthening relations with Greeks abroad through expanded digital services, educational initiatives, and policies aimed at maintaining close connections between younger generations of the diaspora and their ancestral homeland.
A shared vision for Greece’s future
The launch of ATHINA26 reflects a growing recognition that the global Greek community represents more than a cultural network—it is also a strategic resource for Greece’s long-term development.
With an estimated five million people of Greek descent living outside the country, the diaspora continues to play an important role in promoting Greece internationally, supporting philanthropic initiatives and contributing expertise across sectors ranging from business and technology to education and scientific research.
By bringing together government leaders, business executives, and diaspora organizations under a common vision, ATHINA26 seeks to strengthen those connections and encourage greater collaboration between Greece and its global community in the years ahead.
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