Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented three key pillars—technology, governance, and trust with local communities—underpinning Greece’s approach to strengthening preparedness and protection against natural disasters during COP29.
- Technology and the 112 Emergency System: Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s investment in the “112” emergency system, which allows emergency messages to be sent to all citizens and tourists in the country. Through this system, clear instructions are provided for safe evacuation from dangerous areas, such as during fires or storms. The Prime Minister emphasised the value of artificial intelligence in predicting areas at risk.
- Strengthening Governance with the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection: Mitsotakis noted the establishment of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, which brings together the military, police, fire service, and other agencies. With clearly defined responsibilities and open lines of communication, effective coordination is ensured in emergency situations. He also discussed investments totalling €2 billion in “smart” technologies, including drones for early fire detection and advanced localised weather prediction systems.
- Building Trust with Local Communities: Trust is critical so that citizens respond effectively to warnings, such as the “112” alerts. Mitsotakis stressed the need to cultivate a “culture of evacuation” and build public confidence in civil protection services to prevent tragedies.
Greece as a Pioneer in Energy Transition
At COP29, Mitsotakis also emphasised Greece’s commitment to the energy transition, with emissions reduced by 45% since 2005 and a stronger circular economy. He highlighted Greece’s strategic goal of becoming an energy exporter and the importance of regional cooperation with countries such as Bulgaria and Romania to jointly address energy challenges.
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing Greece’s readiness to share its practices with other countries, contributing to a global dialogue on responding to natural disasters.
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Source: ANA-MPA
