Greece’s Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou is traveling to New York on Monday, as part of Greece’s participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, with climate and energy diplomacy high on his agenda.
Papastavrou’s meetings will focus on preparations for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will be held in Antalya, Turkey, as well as environmental protection, particularly water scarcity, and Greece’s strengthened role as an energy hub in the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Europe.
Energy and climate diplomacy
On Tuesday, Papastavrou will be among the keynote speakers at Foreign Policy’s Energy Forum, titled “Powering a Secure and Sustainable Future.”
He will then participate in an EU ministerial coordination meeting on COP31, under the Irish presidency of the European Union. A delegation from Australia, which has assumed the presidency of the COP31 negotiating process, will also participate.
Later that afternoon, Papastavrou will speak at an Atlantic Council event titled “Powering the Future: A US-European High-Level Dialogue on Electrification,” focusing on transatlantic energy cooperation.
On Wednesday, Papastavrou will attend the launch event of the global Ocean Eye Alliance, alongside Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The initiative is co-chaired by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. It aims to improve monitoring of oceans and seas through satellite data and digital models, with goals including environmental and climate protection, maritime safety and the development of advanced technologies.
The same day, Papastavrou will attend a luncheon organized jointly by 28 Greek diaspora organizations, where Mitsotakis will deliver remarks.
He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Wopke Hoekstra, the European commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth.
Later Wednesday, Papastavrou will participate in a UN secretary-general’s high-level meeting on Climate Action and Just Transition, focusing on accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Greece’s energy transition priorities
Papastavrou is expected to present Greece’s positions on a realistic energy transition, the country’s progress in decarbonization and renewable energy development, as well as the need to strengthen adaptation and resilience to the effects of climate change.
On Thursday, he will participate in a high-level ministerial meeting of the Global Water Organization (GWO) titled “United for Water: A Call for Collective Action.”
The meeting will focus on strengthening international cooperation to address water scarcity and growing pressure on water resources.
Meetings with energy companies
As part of the energy component of his visit, Papastavrou will also meet with representatives of Chevron and ExxonMobil, which are involved in hydrocarbon exploration and development activities in Greece.
The minister’s visit to New York will conclude Thursday afternoon with Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ address to the United Nations General Assembly.
