The Shock of the New: Europe Confronts Uncertainty at the 10th Delphi Economic Forum
World leaders, heads of state and global experts converge in Delphi to chart a course for a turbulent era
By Vivien Chione
Middle East Business Representative
Middle East Business News & Magazine was proud to be present at the Delphi Economic Forum this year, joining an exceptional gathering of global decision-makers, economists, heads of state and visionary thinkers from across the world. Against the magnificent backdrop of Delphi — cradle of ancient wisdom — this landmark event once again proved itself one of the most consequential forums for dialogue on the pressing issues facing the global economy and the future of Europe.
Held under the theme "The Shock of the New," the 2025 Delphi Economic Forum brought together an extraordinary constellation of voices — from European royalty to international economists — to address the seismic shifts reshaping our world: geopolitical tensions, climate challenges, the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, the resilience of ocean ecosystems, and the urgent need for deeper European integration. What emerged from the ancient hillside of Delphi was not a counsel of despair, but a collective call to action: to transform uncertainty into opportunity, and challenge into progress.
TURNING SHOCK INTO OPPORTUNITY
Symeon G. Tsomokos | Founder & President, Delphi Economic Forum
Setting the tone for the entire Forum, Symeon G. Tsomokos underscored that meaningful dialogue is more critical today than ever before — in an era where answers can neither be one-dimensional nor isolated. He called upon all participants to send a strong collective message from Delphi:
"We can turn uncertainty into opportunity, challenge into progress, and change into the power of collective action."
A EUROPE OF DEEPER INTEGRATION AND GREATER AMBITION
Alar Karis | President of Estonia
Estonian President Alar Karis delivered a spirited defence of European integration, acknowledging the fragmentation and insufficient coordination that continues to hold the continent back. He called for more harmonised institutions, deeper capital markets, and a renewed spirit of trust and cooperation among member states.
"I am not pessimistic about the European economy. I believe that Europe has strong prospects. I believe that growth is driven by smart entrepreneurship, which depends on good education and ultimately on people. It is people who will deepen cooperation in Europe and advance the single market."
Herman Van Rompuy | Former President of the European Council & President of the Advisory Board, Theophano Foundation
Herman Van Rompuy reflected on the moral compass that must guide the European Union in these turbulent times. He noted that the "Empress Theophano" Award serves as a bridge across all kinds of divisions — political, cultural and historical alike.
"The EU wants to take its destiny much more into its own hands and build its own hopes as a more independent power."
OCEANS, CLIMATE AND THE BLUE ECONOMY
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco | Sovereign Prince of Monaco
In a powerful and deeply personal address, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco focused the Forum's attention on the fragile state of the world's marine ecosystems, with particular concern for the Mediterranean Sea. He emphasised that the blue economy is no longer a future ambition — it is already a living reality encompassing fisheries, trade, tourism, innovation and a vast array of evolving activities that urgently need support and monitoring.
Prince Albert announced that his foundation launched the ReOcean Fund in 2023 — a pioneering social impact investment fund dedicated to the sustainable blue economy. The Fund has already mobilised approximately €80 million in private capital, demonstrating that financial returns and ocean regeneration can go hand in hand.
"A blue economy is already a reality. It is fisheries, it is trade, it is tourism, it is innovation. It is so many other activities — activities that are evolving and that therefore urgently need to be supported and monitored."
Through the diverse initiatives his foundation has championed over the years, Prince Albert affirmed that a responsible blue economy is already an efficient and effective model for the future — one that the global community can and must embrace.
THE GLOBAL ECONOMY UNDER PRESSURE
Mathias Cormann | Secretary-General, OECD
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann delivered a sober but nuanced assessment of global economic conditions. He warned that the evolving conflict in Iran and throughout the wider region has severely disrupted vital trade routes and energy markets, testing the resilience of the global economy to its limits. His projections were stark: growth in the Eurozone is expected to be reduced by 0.8 percentage points this year, while inflation is forecast to rise.
"Economies have proven very adaptive, but a prolonged or intensifying conflict could push energy and food prices higher, leading to tighter policies in an already weak environment. This would trigger a repricing in financial markets and affect investment and consumption."
However, Cormann was careful to offer grounds for cautious optimism. He highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies as a genuine opportunity to alter this economic trajectory — provided governments and institutions invest wisely, improve regulatory frameworks and cut the bureaucratic red tape that continues to stifle business growth.
On Greece specifically, the OECD chief noted that the country is entering this turbulent period from a position of relative strength, buoyed by consistently high growth rates, increased investment and a significant reduction in public debt — even as headwinds from weaker external demand, uncertainty in the tourism sector, and rising energy costs pose real and immediate risks.
CULTURE, VALUES AND THE SPIRIT OF DELPHI
Stavros Andreadis | Chairman of the Steering Committee, Theophano Foundation
Stavros Andreadis articulated the deeper moral mission behind the Forum and the "Empress Theophano" Award: to raise a strong European voice — one that speaks unequivocally about values and ethics in a world that too often feels darkened by conflict, division and cynicism.
Panagiotis Roilos | President, European Cultural Centre of Delphi
Panagiotis Roilos, President of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi, issued a clarion call to decision-makers everywhere, insisting they must confront, rather than shrink from, the shocks of our age. He underscored that the ancient Delphic maxim — "Know Thyself" — has never been more relevant for humanity's collective self-awareness than it is today.
Fanis Spanos | Governor of Central Greece
Governor Fanis Spanos drew a compelling parallel between the ancient and the modern, observing that the Delphi Economic Forum fulfils the same timeless role as the Oracle of Apollo did thousands of years ago:
"People come to Delphi to be enriched with wisdom and to be guided toward sound decisions on the critical issues of the time."
Nikos Hardalias | Governor of Attica
Governor Nikos Hardalias noted that this year's Forum theme perfectly encapsulates the challenge facing global leaders: the need to understand ongoing changes, interpret them correctly, and above all transform them into opportunity rather than retreat.
Panagiotis Tagkalis | Mayor of Delphi
Mayor Tagkalis highlighted the profound and tangible impact the Forum has had on the region of Delphi — not only in terms of economic and cultural visibility, but as an enduring symbol of the power of ideas to shape the future.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ANCIENT ORACLE
As the Forum drew to a close, the spirit of Delphi itself seemed to speak through the collective voices gathered on its hillside. The central theme — "The Shock of the New" — proved not merely an intellectual conceit, but a lived reality: a world shaken by geopolitical conflict, ecological urgency, technological revolution and economic strain. Yet the Forum's enduring lesson was one of resilience, solidarity and hope.
From the blue Mediterranean to the corridors of European power, from the laboratories where AI is being born to the ocean floors being slowly regenerated, the message from Delphi 2025 was clear: the future belongs to those who face the shock of the new with courage, wisdom and the willingness to act together.
Middle East Business News & Magazine
Reporting from the Delphi Economic Forum 2026 | Delphi, Greece