Konstantinos Makedos, President of TMEDE (Engineers and Public Works Contractors Fund), highlighted the Fund’s triple and catalytic role in the green and digital transition, opening the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference “Redefining the Future Horizons: Designing the Sustainable Strategies of Tomorrow”.

 

The Conference was held on 9–10 December at the building of the Bank of Greece Employees’ Association (SYTE) on Sina Street in Athens, under the auspices of the Bank of Greece and the Technical Chamber of Greece, underscoring its high institutional importance and the elevated level of dialogue promoted by TMEDE in the critical field of sustainable development.

 

Describing the objectives of the Conference, Mr. Makedos identified as key priorities the importance of financing, climate risk, safety and technical specifications, European strategies, urban resilience, and the new industrial policy, in combination with modern technologies and innovation. These priorities, he noted, are addressed through sustainable strategies that balance climate responsibility with business competitiveness and safeguard a stable and attractive investment environment for the country.

 

Mr. Makedos highlighted TMEDE’s role in the green and digital transition as “triple and catalytic”, explaining that the Fund contributes by strengthening the technical capacity of the sector, by providing financial instruments that support innovation and new technologies, and by offering targeted advisory support to facilitate access to the capital required in this new era.

At the same time, TMEDE intervenes by enhancing transparency, quality, and reliability, through modern auditing procedures, objective rules, and strict evaluation standards aimed at protecting the public interest, while also reinforcing institutional dialogue and European alignment.

 

The President of TMEDE stressed that Greece must take the lead with a strategic approach to infrastructure, making extensive use of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and big data; implementing projects that reduce risk; and fostering strong partnerships between the State and Europe, as well as between the technical sector, the scientific community, the market, and local government.

 

“Infrastructure is not just ‘projects’; it is a mechanism of protection and resilience — against the climate crisis, extreme weather events, supply chain disruptions, international competition, and energy uncertainty,”

Mr. Makedos emphasised.

 

“It is also a mechanism of productivity, sustainability, and economic strength, safeguarding the country and enhancing the competitiveness of its economy, by ensuring the green and digital transition, social cohesion, and an attractive investment environment.”

 

Reflecting on the challenges faced by Greece, Mr. Makedos described 2025 as a year of pressure, but also of maturity. On the one hand, he noted, the country is confronted with rising costs of raw materials and energy, stricter requirements for integrating ESG criteria into business planning, and increased pressure to invest in technology, human capital, and certifications — across both the public and private sectors.

 

He placed particular emphasis on climate risk, which, as he underlined, “is already here”, referring to the impact of major natural disasters such as the floods in Thessaly, with damages exceeding €3.5 billion.

“The Bank of Greece has already warned that without immediate and coordinated action, the cost of the climate crisis could exceed €200 billion by 2100. These are not just numbers — they are stark warnings about the future of our economy and our society,” he recalled.

 

Mr. Makedos concluded by stressing the need “to move from observation to direction and planning, and from concern to action.”

“It is within our power, through institutional cooperation, to design the sustainable strategies of tomorrow and to contribute meaningfully to shaping a realistic and effective roadmap — one that connects scientific knowledge with practice, and innovation with social responsibility.”

 

Reaffirming TMEDE’s commitment, he pledged continued practical support for the technical sector, systematic monitoring of international developments, and active contribution to the creation of a stable and fair framework for future generations.

 

Conference Sponsors

 

Silver Sponsors:

AKTOR Group, CREDIA BANK, EUROXX Securities S.A., INTERBETON

 

Bronze Sponsors:

IOLCUS, Joltie, MESOGEIOS S.A.

 

Supporters:

ALUMIL, ARKITON S.A., AS BUILD ATE, COSMOS AEBE, EFG Eurobank, Eldon’s Hellas, ETBA, Eurolamp ABEE, Grant Thornton, Green Edge, Premia Properties, Prudential, RENEL IKE, Hellenic Hydroconstruction S.A., ELTE, EYATH, EYDAP, Kokkinis Construction Technology S.A., Michail M. Tsontos S.A., NAMA S.A., Plethron Construction ATE, Polytechnical Redevelopment IKE, STASY, T&T Constructions S.A., TEKAL ATE

 

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