More than 150 participants from 17 countries across Southeast and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia came together in Athens on June 12-13, 2025, to share insights, promote regional trade and investment, and reaffirm their shared conviction that trade, innovation, and sustainable growth cannot flourish in isolation.
In today’s tumultuous global landscape, amid increasing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and fragmentation, regional interconnectedness and collaborative, cross-border engagement are more crucial than ever. With this in mind, the 2nd AmChams Regional Economic Summit (ARES) set out to promote regional trade and investment through targeted business engagement, foster policy dialogue to advance regional cooperation frameworks, and support cross-border business development through strategic B2B matchmaking.
ARES 2025 took place on June 12-13, 2025, at the Divani Apollon and Thalasso Hotel in the Greek capital’s famed Athenian Riviera, featuring more than 150 participants from 17 countries. Held under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was jointly co-organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, and AmCham Türkiye in partnership with the American Chambers of Commerce in Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, and with the strategic partnership of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Building on the success and momentum of last year’s inaugural AmChams Eurasian Economic Summit, which was held in Istanbul in October 2024, ARES 2025 served as an invaluable platform for high-level dialogue with a distinctly regional focus. The event delivered two days of focused discussions, leadership panels, and plenary sessions, inviting senior public and private sector stakeholders—government officials, representatives of development agencies, industry leaders, business executives, and investors—to share their insights, unique perspectives, and expertise and contribute to shaping the region’s economic priorities. It further facilitated 120 B2B meetings, laying the groundwork for new business relationships, cross-border partnerships, and future projects.
“No country can tackle today’s challenges alone — we need strong partnerships to turn strategy into action.”
– Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director, AmCham Greece
“What we are truly talking about is trust. About forging partnerships that endure. About building a region that is not only competitive but also cooperative, confident, and connected.
To the businesses here: Dare to reach borders.
To the policymakers: Dare to think regionally.
To the young voices: Dare to imagine what we’ve not yet built.”
– Nikolaos Bakatselos, President, AmCham Greece
“It’s encouraging to see the AmChams Regional Summit grow in both reach and impact. Our strength lies in collaboration: AmChams are more effective when they work together. Our region is not only of geostrategic importance but is also economically dynamic, offering significant investment opportunities.”
– Emre Karter, Chair, AmCham Türkiye
Highlights and Key Themes
The summit’s thoughtfully designed agenda explored and highlighted the role of enhanced regional trade, infrastructure, diplomacy, private sector collaboration, and interpersonal engagement in building a more interconnected future and ensuring continued and sustainable growth and prosperity across the wider region.
The Regional Economic Outlook – Growth, Inflation, and Stability session saw experts and policymakers examine macroeconomic trends and challenges, setting the tone for the region’s trajectory in 2025 and beyond.
The Digital Transformation, Innovation, and the AI Revolution session looked at the rapid advances in digital technologies, examining the risks and opportunities of the rise of AI, and underlining the critical need to invest in human capital.
The Regional Infrastructure and Energy Security and the Green Transition sessions focused on fostering cooperation in infrastructure development, promoting clean energy investment, and reinforcing resilient energy policy frameworks.
The Overview of Regional Investment Opportunities session saw senior representatives from national investment agencies, within and outwith the EU, explore the strategic advantages of investing in the region, identify promising sectors, and highlight the importance of regional synergies and collaborative potential.
Titled To Win With AI, Leaders Must Put Humans First, the keynote address by Fahed Bizzari, Managing Partner at Bellamy Alden AI Consulting and author of The AI Empowerment Advantage, stressed the importance of maintaining a people-centric approach to digital transformation and the use of AI.
The Leadership for the Future session featured CEOs and public leaders sharing their perspectives on inclusive growth, diversity, and the type of leadership needed to navigate uncertain times.
Finally, the summit’s closing remarks saw speakers explore the role of AmChams as a Platform for Regional Cooperation, highlighting the vital role of American Chambers of Commerce as bridges between the United States and their host countries, promoting trade, investment, and mutual understanding.
In addition to its various highly interesting talks and formal sessions, ARES 2025 offered plenty of opportunities for networking, discussion, and genuine human connection. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Athenian Riviera, participants forged new relationships and renewed longstanding partnerships, practicing diplomacy in its finest form—not through protocol, but through people.
As we reflect on the connections made, the insights exchanged, and the momentum generated at the 2nd AmChams Regional Economic Summit in Athens, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter, ARES 2026, to be hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria.
The ARES Organizing Committee
Letitia Pupazeanu, Elias Spirtounias, Shaimaa Abou Wafia
