The 35th Annual General Meeting of the Institute, with 34 of its partners (out of 42) in attendance in person or via teleconference, was held on July 10 at the offices of its partner Mr. Gus Papamichalopoulos at KG Law firm in Athens. The 35th Annual General Meeting of the Institute, with 34 of its partners (out of 42) in attendance in person or via teleconference, was held on July 10 at the offices of its partner Mr. Gus Papamichalopoulos at KG Law firm in Athens. The key issues in the Agenda included the approval of last year’s Annual Report and Accounts, the election of new partners to the Board of Governors and the election of a new Executive Committee, since the term of the current one officially terminated at the end of June.
Following a proposal by the Chairman and Executive Director of the Institute, which was unanimously approved by the partners, the new Executive Committee for the period 2023-2025 is as follows:
Chairman (executive): Mr. Costis Stambolis,
Deputy President: Mr. Christos Dimas,
Secretary General: Mr. Kostas Theophylaktos,
Members: Dr. Konstantinos Karagiannakos (DEPA), Ms. Sofia Politopoulou (DEDDIE), Mr. Nikos Sofianos (Independent Energy Consultant), Mrs. Eugenia Tzanini (Tzanini Law Firm and Associates).
Following their election, the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, Christos Dimas, expressed their gratitude and thanks to the partners for their trust. The newly elected members, Sofia Politopoulou, Nikos Sofianos, and Konstantinos Karagiannakos also extended their appreciation to the partners for their support. The Chairman emphasized that the new ExecCom is fully committed to pursuing the goals and objectives of the Institute by making significant contribution to the Institute's work, including enhancing scientific research, improving the quality of information, and expanding contacts and membership across the region with the ultimate aim of increasing the Institute's outreach and broadening its influence.
In this context, as the Chairman said that, the new ExecCom in its first meeting will discuss the creation of two new Scientific Committees:
(a) The setting up of an International Advisory Board (IAB) which will enable the participation of all overseas partners of IENE and also include other internationally recognized authorities. The IAB will be chaired by IENE Partner Mr. Thomas Lamnidis.
(b) A Committee for the Circular Economy and Water Resources has been deemed necessary in light of recent developments, particularly the expansion of the Regulator's remit to include water resources. The Committee is to be chaired by IENE Partner Mr. Dionysis Xenos.
Both Thomas Lamnidis and Dionysis Xenos served as members of the outgoing Exec Com. Also, following a proposal, by the outgoing ExecCom the General Assembly unanimously elected the entry of five (5) new partners, as follows:
Ms. Liana Gouta (HELLENiQ Energy),
Dr. Amit Mor (ECO Energy, Israel),
Prof. Ionut Purica (Romanian Academy of Sciences),
Mr. Theodoros Terzopoulos (DEDA),
and Dr. Halil Yurdakul Yigitgüden (former Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Turkey's Ambassadors of OSCE).
Following a brief presentation of the Institute 's activities and of the financial statement for 2022 and a review of activities for the first half of 2023, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the Annual Report and Annual Accounts for 2022. Following that, the Chairman reiterated the Institute's strategic goals which can be summarised as follows:
• Consolidation and deepening of the Institute’s membership and also of its corporate base, in all countries of Southeast Europe so as to enhance IENE's presence in the wider region.
• Upgrading, streamlining, and improving the flow of information provided to members on a regular basis.
• The further development of the Institute's research capabilities.
• Offer a range of Advisory Services to companies, organizations, and banks, such as the issuing of Green Bonds, in cooperation with UK’s, Climate Bond Initiative (CBI)
• Organize conferences, workshops, and related events (e.g., training seminars, webinars) on current issues of the energy agenda.
• Strengthening of the Scientific Committees of the Institute.
• Reorganize the External Relations and publicity mechanism the Institute.
