Agenda
10th June 2026
9.30 - 10.00 Registrations
10.00 - 10.10 Opening Remarks
10.10 - 10.25 Keynote Session: Europe’s NatCat Reality Check
As climate-driven risks intensify across Europe, the gap between economic losses and insured protection continues to widen. Drawing on insights from the EIOPA Insurance Protection Gap Dashboard, this keynote will provide a clear-eyed assessment of Europe’s exposure to natural catastrophes and the structural challenges facing the insurance ecosystem. From affordability and insurability to the role of public–private partnerships, the session will explore what must change to build a more resilient and better-protected Europe.
Petra Hielkema
Chairperson, EIOPA (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority)
Συντονιστής: Απόστολος Μαγγηριάδης, δημοσιογράφος, Ελληνική Ραδιοφωνία Τηλεόραση
10.25 - 10.40 Keynote Session: Closing the Protection Gap in Greece: A Supervisory View
As natural catastrophe risks intensify, Greece faces a widening gap between economic losses and insured coverage. This keynote will explore the supervisory perspective on strengthening market resilience, enhancing risk awareness, and advancing solutions that can narrow the protection gap and support a more sustainable insurance framework.
Stavros Konstantas
Director, Private Insurance Supervision Directorate, Bank of Greece
Συντονιστής: Ηλίας Μπέλλος, δημοσιογράφος, «Η Καθημερινή»
10.40 - 11.20 The Economics of Natural Catastrophes
Natural catastrophes are no longer just environmental events—they are major economic shocks with far-reaching consequences. This panel will explore the financial impact of disasters, from direct losses and insurance payouts to broader effects on public finances, investment, and economic growth. Bringing together perspectives from insurance, policy, and business, the discussion will focus on how economies can better absorb, finance, and mitigate the rising cost of climate-related risks.
Σπύρος Θεοδωρόπουλος
Πρόεδρος Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου, Σύνδεσμος Επιχειρήσεων και Βιομηχανιών (ΣΕΒ)
Συντονιστής: Ηλίας Μπέλλος, δημοσιογράφος, «Η Καθημερινή»
11.20 - 11.50 Sharing the Risk: The Role of Public and Private Sectors in Natural Disasters
Natural catastrophes are increasingly testing the limits of both governments and insurance markets. As risks grow in scale and complexity, neither side can act alone. This panel will explore how public and private sectors can work together more effectively to share risk, expand protection, and support faster recovery. From compensation mechanisms and insurance coverage to prevention and resilience planning, the discussion will highlight what works—and what needs to evolve.
Sabine-Marie Eldracher
Consultant, Climate Change Solutions Advisory, Strategy & Innovation, Munich Re
Συντονίστρια: Ευγενία Τζώρτζη, δημοσιογράφος, «Η Καθημερινή»
11.50 - 12.20 Mapping Natural Catastrophes in Greece
Understanding where and how natural catastrophes occur is key to effective prevention and risk management. This panel will explore the geographic and data-driven mapping of natural risks across Greece, highlighting patterns, vulnerabilities, and emerging trends. By bringing together expertise from science, policy, and insurance, the discussion will focus on how better data and risk modeling can support preparedness, decision-making, and more targeted protection strategies. Speakers:
Efthymios Bakogiannis
Secretary General for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment Ministry of Environment and Energy
Christos Zerefos
Professor of Atmospheric Physics, Member, Academy of Athens
Konstantinos Kartalis
Professor of Environmental & Climate Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Συντονίστρια: Ευγενία Τζώρτζη, δημοσιογράφος, «Η Καθημερινή»
12.20 - 12.40 Coffee Break
12.40 - 13.10 Designing for Disasters: Infrastructure, Risk and Prevention
As natural hazards intensify, the way we design and build infrastructure becomes critical to reducing their impact. This panel will explore how scientific insight and engineering practice can come together to better anticipate risks, strengthen resilience, and prevent losses. From risk assessment and land-use planning to construction standards and long-term adaptation, the discussion will focus on how infrastructure can shift from vulnerability to preparedness in the face of growing natural catastrophe threats.
Paraskevi Nomikou
Professor of Geology & Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Peter Hangen
Head of Construction, Starr Europe Insurance Limited
Συντονίστρια: Βίκυ Κοτσιμπού, δημοσιογράφος, Star Channel Κεντρικής Ελλάδας
13.10 - 13.45 Cities on the Frontline: Managing Risk at the Local Level
Local authorities are often the first to respond when natural catastrophes strike—and the ones responsible for rebuilding in their aftermath. This panel will bring together municipal leaders to share firsthand experiences of managing risk on the ground, from preparedness and emergency response to recovery and long-term resilience. The discussion will highlight the challenges cities face, the lessons learned from recent events, and the practical steps needed to better protect local communities and economies.
Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou
President, Athens Chamber of Tradesmen
Theodoros Mihalatos
Mayor of Argostoli, Municipality of Argostoli
Συντονιστής: Νίκος Μωράκης, αρχισυντάκτης, insurancedaily.gr
13.45 - 14.30 Διάλειμμα - Ελαφρύ γεύμα
14.30 - 15.00 Δημόσιες Υποδομές υπό Πίεση
Public infrastructure is increasingly exposed to the growing intensity and frequency of natural catastrophes. From transport networks and energy systems to water and urban services, the pressure on critical assets is mounting. This session will examine the vulnerabilities of public infrastructure, the economic and social consequences of disruption, and the urgent need for investment in resilience. The discussion will focus on how governments and stakeholders can strengthen infrastructure systems to withstand future shocks and ensure continuity for communities and economies.
Παρασκευή Νομικού
Καθηγήτρια Γεωλογίας & Γεωπεριβάλλοντος Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Peter Hangen
Επικεφαλής Κατασκευαστικού Τομέα Starr Europe Insurance Limited
Συντονίστρια: Θέλμα Χατζηαθανασίου, δημοσιογράφος, «Η Καθημερινή»
15.00 - 15.45 Insurance Solutions for a Changing Climate
As climate risks become more frequent and severe, the insurance industry is under increasing pressure to adapt and innovate. This session will explore how insurers are evolving their products, underwriting approaches, and risk models to address the challenges of a changing climate. From new coverage solutions and risk transfer mechanisms to the use of data and technology, the discussion will focus on how the market can remain sustainable while continuing to provide meaningful protection to businesses and economies.
Konstantinos Semertzoglou
Managing Director, HDI Global SE
Elizabeth Sellwood
Senior Advisor, Environmental Security United Nations Environment Programme
Συντονιστής: Ματίνα Χαρκοφτάκη, δημοσιογράφος, «Η Καθημερινή»
15.45 - 16.30 Risk Modelling & Forecasting
As natural catastrophe risks grow in complexity, the ability to anticipate and quantify future events is becoming critical. This session will explore how advanced tools—ranging from AI and predictive analytics to simulation models and early warning systems—are transforming the way risks are assessed and managed. Bringing together expertise from insurance and reinsurance markets, the discussion will focus on how data-driven insights can improve forecasting accuracy, support better underwriting decisions, and enhance preparedness in an increasingly uncertain climate environment.