--- eventsindex_id: EI-07032 slug: delphi-economic-forum title: Delphi Economic Forum title_alt: - DEF canonical_url: https://eventsindex.org/events/delphi-economic-forum.html next_edition_dates: '' next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: null date_end: null venue: European Cultural Centre of Delphi city: Delphi country: Greece organiser: Delphi Economic Forum NPO organiser_url: https://delphiforum.gr/ b2b: true vector: sector: - economic-forums audience: - heads-of-state - government-ministers - eu-officials - central-bankers - business-executives format: - conference purpose: - networking geography_scope: - Western-Europe season: spring meta_description: 'Delphi Economic Forum (DEF XII) in Delphi, Greece, April 2027 (dates TBC): four-day international conference on geopolitics, economy and energy.' editorial_take: Held annually at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi since 2016, this Greek non-profit forum convenes heads of state, EU officials and business leaders in a format that positions Delphi as South-East Europe's primary venue for high-level geopolitical and economic debate. generated_by: enrich-cowork (N1/N2/N3) last_verified: '2026-06-11' schema_version: v8.0 language: en --- # Delphi Economic Forum > *Held at the historic European Cultural Centre of Delphi since 2016, the Delphi Economic Forum gathers heads of state, EU officials, central bankers and business executives for four days of high-level debate on geopolitics, sustainable development and the future of South-East Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | April 2027 (exact dates TBC; DEF XII) | European Cultural Centre of Delphi, Delphi, Greece | Delphi Economic Forum NPO | Not publicly disclosed | ## Definition The Delphi Economic Forum (DEF) is an annual international conference held in Delphi, Greece, organised by a Greek non-profit of the same name. Since its inaugural edition in February 2016, it has convened under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic and draws a multi-sector audience of political leaders, EU officials, academics, journalists and business executives. The forum is structured around four days of plenary sessions, panel debates and side events at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi. Programming covers five recurring thematic pillars: Geopolitics, Planet, Sustainable Economy and Finance, Future, and People. ## What is the Delphi Economic Forum and what distinguishes it from other European policy conferences? The Delphi Economic Forum occupies a distinct position in the European conference circuit by anchoring high-level political dialogue in a Greek cultural setting that carries strong symbolic weight. The choice of Delphi, site of the ancient oracle and a UNESCO World Heritage landmark, is deliberate: it frames contemporary debate about the future within a long historical perspective, a positioning that resonates with the forum's emphasis on South-East Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans as strategic crossroads. Unlike Brussels-based forums or Davos-style gatherings that draw primarily from Western European and G7 networks, DEF actively centres regional voices: Greek heads of state invariably open proceedings, while prime ministers and ministers from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea region hold speaking positions alongside EU commissioners and international organisation chiefs. This regional specificity, combined with the participation of global figures such as the OECD Secretary-General and the President of the European Council, gives the forum an unusual combination of breadth and geographic focus. ## Who attends Delphi Economic Forum DEF attracts a multi-sector audience shaped by its dual identity as both a regional policy platform and an international conference: - Heads of state and government from Greece, the Western Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean - EU commissioners, European Council and European Parliament representatives - Leaders of international organisations (OECD, IMF, World Bank, ESM) - Greek and regional business executives, including shipping, energy and financial services sectors - Academics and policy researchers from European universities and think tanks - Senior journalists and media figures from international outlets - Civil society representatives and NGO leaders The mix reflects the forum's ambition to bridge the gap between political decision-makers and the private and academic communities. The strong presence of Greek institutional actors alongside EU and transatlantic guests makes DEF one of the few venues where South-East European policy priorities are argued at head-of-government level. ## What Delphi Economic Forum covers programmatically The eleventh edition (DEF XI, April 2026) was organised around the central theme "The Shock of the New," marking the opening of the forum's second decade. Sessions addressed the reshaping of the international order, energy transition imperatives, the climate and biodiversity crisis, the geopolitical recomposition of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean, the implications of artificial intelligence for labour markets and governance, and models for socially responsible economic development. Across editions, five thematic pillars structure the programme: Geopolitics covers international relations, security and regional stability; Planet addresses the climate, energy transition and oceans; Sustainable Economy and Finance looks at growth models, fiscal policy and capital markets; Future focuses on technology, innovation and demographic change; People deals with social cohesion, health, migration and education. The forum also runs digital satellite events and side sessions throughout the year, extending the annual conference's reach beyond April. ## Notable speakers and participants DEF XI (April 2026) featured an exceptionally high-level roster. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine An. Tassoulas, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis both addressed the forum. António Costa, President of the European Council, participated, as did Alar Karis, President of Estonia, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and European Commission Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis represented major international institutions. European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi and European Stability Mechanism Managing Director Pierre Gramegna also took part. The roster for DEF XII (2027) had not been announced as of June 2026. ## Edition history and context The Delphi Economic Forum was founded in 2016 under the auspices of President Prokopis Pavlopoulos; the inaugural session was held at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi in February of that year. The forum has held annual conferences every year since, with the exception of the 2020 edition, which was delivered digitally from Zappeion Hall in Athens due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DEF XI (April 2026) was the eleventh edition and the first of the forum's second decade, a milestone underlined by the choice of the theme "The Shock of the New." DEF XII is expected in April 2027 and would mark the continuation of a trajectory that has positioned the forum as South-East Europe's most internationally visible annual policy gathering. ## FAQ · Identity and audience ### Is the Delphi Economic Forum affiliated with any government or political party? The forum operates under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic and is organised by Delphi Economic Forum NPO, an independent Greek non-profit headquartered in Athens. It is not affiliated with any political party or governmental body, though senior Greek officials regularly participate in an institutional capacity. ### What languages are used at the forum? English is the working language of the main conference sessions. Some sessions involving Greek officials or regional participants may include simultaneous interpretation into Greek. ### How does DEF relate to the Davos or Athens Democracy Forum model? DEF is a single-location, nationally anchored forum like the Athens Democracy Forum, but with a broader geographic mandate covering South-East Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. It shares with Davos an ambition to convene political, economic and civil society actors in a high-profile setting, but its scale, its regional focus and its Greek non-profit structure make it a distinct proposition. ### Who is Delphi Economic Forum NOT designed for? - Practitioners looking for sector-specific technical content (procurement, legal, engineering) - Start-up founders seeking investor introductions or pitch opportunities - Exhibition or product demonstration participants: there is no trade floor - Attendees seeking purely networking events without substantive policy programming - Those without at minimum a director-level or senior academic standing: the forum is not oriented toward early-career professionals ## The venue: European Cultural Centre of Delphi The European Cultural Centre of Delphi (ECCD) is a cultural institution established by the Council of Europe and the Greek government, located in the town of Delphi in central Greece, below the ancient archaeological site. It operates as a conference, cultural and artistic venue and has hosted the Delphi Economic Forum since the inaugural 2016 edition. The setting carries symbolic significance: Delphi is associated in the Western tradition with foresight and counsel, lending an implicit authority to debate held there. The ECCD provides conference halls and event infrastructure suited to a multi-day programme of plenaries and panels. ## The organiser: Delphi Economic Forum NPO Delphi Economic Forum NPO is a Greek non-profit organisation established in 2016 and headquartered at 21 Amerikis Street, 106 72 Athens. It was created specifically to organise and manage the annual Delphi Economic Forum and related satellite events. The organisation operates under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic and maintains a year-round presence through digital events and publications in addition to the April conference. The NPO does not have a commercial publisher or media conglomerate as a parent body; it relies on sponsorship and delegate registration fees to fund operations. Its non-profit status and Greek institutional backing position it as a civil-society-adjacent actor rather than a commercial conference producer, which shapes the relatively open, multi-sector character of its programming. --- ## Editorial take *The Delphi Economic Forum stands apart in the European circuit by anchoring head-of-government debate on geopolitics and sustainable development at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi, making it the primary annual platform for South-East European and Eastern Mediterranean policy discussion outside Brussels.* ## How to register and what it costs In-person attendance at DEF XI was available at three price points: EUR 1,800 (early bird), EUR 2,200 (regular) and EUR 2,500 (late bird). Registration is paid and open to qualifying professionals; the forum does not operate a closed invitation-only model for standard delegates, though the participation of heads of state and ministerial-level speakers is by invitation. A free live-streaming option is available for those who cannot attend in person. Registration details for DEF XII (2027) had not been published as of June 2026. Prospective attendees should monitor the official website and sign up for the newsletter to receive early notification. Given past patterns, early-bird registration is typically opened several months before the April dates. ## FAQ · Access and practicalities ### Is there a free or reduced-fee option for academics and journalists? The forum offers free online streaming, which provides access to plenary sessions without cost. Specific reduced-fee or complimentary categories for academics or press were not published on the DEF XI site; interested parties should contact the organiser directly at info@delphiforum.gr. ### How do I get to Delphi from Athens? Delphi is approximately 180 km from Athens, reachable by car in around two and a half hours via the Athens-Lamia motorway. Regular bus services operate from the Athens Liossion terminal. There is no direct train service; most international delegates fly into Athens International Airport and travel onward by car or coach. ### Are satellite and digital events available between annual editions? Yes. The Delphi Economic Forum NPO organises digital events and satellite sessions throughout the year in addition to the April conference. These are announced on the official website and social media channels. ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://delphiforum.gr/ | | DEF XI edition site | https://def-xi.delphiforum.gr/ | | Organiser | https://delphiforum.gr/ | | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/delphi-economic-forum | | YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZLo6IIgNlOLUCpMn-egNw | | Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi_Economic_Forum | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-11 **Next review:** 2026-07-11 **Notes:** DEF XII (2027) dates are unconfirmed as of June 2026; the April window is an informed projection based on the consistent April scheduling of all previous editions. Attendance figures are not publicly disclosed by the organiser. Ticket pricing is sourced from the DEF XI registration page; DEF XII pricing had not been announced. Speaker figures listed are from DEF XI; DEF XII roster was not announced. The founding year of 2016 is confirmed by Wikipedia and press sources. **Variables:** 41/58 **Concept definition:** not applicable