The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA) convened its 15th General Assembly from July 20 to 25, 2025, in Athens, Greece, bringing together elected legislators of Hellenic descent from across the globe.
The PADEE-WHIA’s members comprise over 90 parliamentarians and legislators of Greek origin from countries including the United States, Albania, Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, Sweden, Ukraine and other nations, united by a shared commitment to strengthening bonds among Greece, Cyprus, and the global diaspora.
The General Assembly opened on July 21 at the Hellenic Parliament, where participants were welcomed by senior officials including the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis and received greetings from the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Legislators and other dignitaries also attended a welcome dinner hosted by PADEE-WHIA at Domus Asteria in Glyfada.
Throughout the week, attendees met in the Hellenic Parliament and also participated in meetings and discussions with Cabinet ministers, Ambassadors, and other dignitaries.
The General Assembly, which convenes every two years in Athens, also included the election of a new Board of Governors for the 2025–2027 term. The newly elected leadership will guide PADEE-WHIA’s mission to promote cooperation across parliaments, support Hellenic initiatives by expanding cultural, educational, and investment ties between Greece, Cyprus and the diaspora communities worldwide.
Key program highlights included:
- Meeting with the newly elected PADEE-WHIA board of governors and the President of the Hellenic Parliament.
- Joint meeting with the Members of the Hellenic Parliament who serve on the Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad
- Key Panel discussions including:
- “Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad,” with participation from Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- “Greece, Cyprus, and the Geopolitical Role in the Regional Energy Sector,” with participation from the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros N. Papastavrou.
- “The Education System and the Greek Language Within Greece and Abroad,” with participation from the Deputy Minister of Education, Konstantinos Vlassis.
- A meeting with Athanasios Davakis, Deputy Minister of National Defence, as well as a tour of Souda Bay, Crete, which included briefings at NSA Souda, the Hellenic Navy Facilities (HNDGS), and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Centre (NMIOTC).
Legislators at the General Assembly also passed important Resolutions on:
- Resolution on the Greek and Pontic Genocide: Proclaiming May 19 each year as Greek and Pontic Genocide Remembrance, Recognition, Condemnation, and Education Day and called on the Republic of Turkey to recognize and atone for the genocide, urging international recognition and inclusion in education curricula.
- Human Rights and Religious Freedom: Calling on PADEE-WHIA Member States to prioritise human rights and religious freedom, with emphasis on persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and Asia Minor; and urging Turkey, Syria, and Egypt to protect the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarchate of Antioch, and the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai.
- Empowering women of the Hellenic diaspora in leadership, innovation and governance.
- Consultations on issues affecting Greeks Abroad: Greek legislators should seek the opinion of PADEE-WHIA and its members during the policymaking process and on matters affecting Greeks abroad.
The PADEE-WHIA Board of Governors will now embark on a new term focused on translating these commitments into tangible actions – both through legislative diplomacy and community partnerships.
The newly elected PADEE-WHIA Board of Governors are as follows:
- Leonidas Raptakis, President (U.S.A.)
- Effie Triantafilopoulos, 1st Vice-President (Canada)
- Steven Georganas, 2nd Vice President (Australia)
- Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Board member (U.S.A.)
- Steve Malagari, Board member (U.S.A.)
- Annie Koutrakis, Board member (Canada)
- Marietta Karamanli, Board member (France)
- Hryhoriy Nemyria, Board member (Ukraine)
 convened its 15th General Assembly from July 20 to 25, 2025.){kind=link}