On Tuesday 1 July 2025 Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias opened the works of the Event organised by the HNDGS, at the Hellenic Air Force Academy Auditorium, on the subject: “Adaptation Strategy of the Armed Forces to Climate Change, Challenges – Actions and Perspectives”.

The event was also attended by Chief/HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN, Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, representatives of the Chiefs of the Police, the Coast Guard, and the Fire Service, the Commanding General of the Constructions and Natural Disasters Relief Command, Lieutenant General Michail Klouvas, General Officers, Professors and Cadets of Military Academies.

Also in attendance were the event’s two speakers, Dr. Konstantinos Filis, Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Global Affairs, Dr. Efthymios Lekkas, Professor Emeritus of Dynamic Tectonic, Applied Geology and Natural Disaster Relief at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the President of the Earthquake Planning and Prevention Organisation, Georgios Papatheodorou, Professor of Geological and Environmental Oceanography at the University of Patras, as well as the Head of Ocean – Lab, and Operations Director for Attica, Major General Anastasios Pappas FS.

In his address, the Minister of National Defence stated:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

You will allow me, – albeit unusual, I am aware – to not read out of my speech, given that the excellent statement of the Chief/HNDGS has, anyway, touched upon the greatest part of topics my initial statement covers.

I would simply like to make a small comment, to underline how much things have changed, and how much the reform of the Armed Forces allows the reality sensors to be more sensitive and, crucially, more receptive to the need for a total reform.

Something which, allow me to say, does not come naturally to institutions such as the Armed Forces, not only in our Country, but internationally.

I had the time and the opportunity to glance at the speeches programme, the statements, and discussions in the framework of the Event, and I would like to honestly congratulate you on it. Since it proves that we are – you will allow me the plural for the extended family of the Armed Forces – sensitive receptors of the signs of the times. Not only in the framework of the fulfilment of the basic duties, the constitutional duties of the Armed Forces, that is safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and the sovereign rights of our Country, the dignity and the lives of Greek citizens, but also the broader needs we have.

The Armed Forces are aware of this phenomenon, this is obvious from the Chief’s statement, in both ways, on both axes.

On one hand, they consume environmental resources, and, in this context, they should participate in the safeguarding of the environment, in awareness of the radical changes brought about by Climate Change. The French call it “réchauffement climatique”, and despite not being the greatest connoisseur of French culture, to my ears it sounds particularly ominous. So, the Armed Forces realise this and are attempting, as a conscientious consumer of resources belonging to society and humanity, to lessen the consumption of said resources as much as possible, and protect the environment, with a series of measures and strategies, such as energy footprint reduction, building protection, different planning of exercises, etc.

Yet, there is a second parameter, close to the constitutional duty, which is the safeguarding of Greek citizens, and our fellow humans in general, since you have often operated abroad. That is, protecting humanity from the consequences of Climate Change.

I have served in the Armed Forces, as some of you may know. I was a Reserve Officer, serving 28 months. I will never forget sleeping under a blanket – there were no sleeping bags back then – on mountains, and many times on mountains in Attica, with a white towel around our necks, while fighting fires, which have for decades plagued our country. Now, with the creation of the Constructions and Natural Disasters Relief Command, the Directorate responsible for natural disasters, and the capabilities and professionalism which characterise its Commanding General and personnel, the Armed Forces have the opportunity to offer Greek society protective services of another kind.

We therefore, do both. Firstly, we protect by example, and second, we offer society security by fulfilling our constitutional duty.

However, and I conclude, the fact that our Country’s Armed Forces have realised the need to discuss this in the framework of an Event, an open discussion, and not a closed council, yet still based on hierarchical discipline, to orders as they should be. In the framework of a Discussion on military adaptation to Climate Change, I would like to say that it is perhaps one of the proudest results of the “2030 Agenda”, the total reform of the Armed Forces. For they underline the capability of the Armed Forces, on one hand to operate under strict discipline and effectiveness on the battlefield but, on the other hand, also think, and take in the signs of the times with an open mind and a broader capability.

I would like to congratulate you and wish you good luck”.