With celebratory participation and a quorum that exceeded the historic threshold of 2,392 authorized votes, HELMEPA’s 47th General Assembly successfully took place on Thursday 13 November 2025, hosted at the Onassis Foundation.
Chairperson Ms Semiramis Paliou stated: “HELMEPA’s work is the work of all of us: members, volunteers—young and old—partners, and of course the HELMEPA team, our Board of Directors, and Secretariat. Every year, we break the previous year’s record with regards to participation, actions, reach, and impact. Tens of thousands of children, youth, professionals, and citizens are informed, sensitized, and take part in our initiatives, shaping a new relationship with the sea. Every spontaneous ‘bravo, keep going, your work matters’ that we hear—whether onboard a ship, in a classroom, or at a town square—gives us strength to continue with an even greater momentum. And we will keep going strong, especially now that we have envisioned an open space for everyone: HELMEPA Home, where everyone will connect with the sea. A gift from HELMEPA to society, a legacy for future generations.”
Mr. Aristides Pittas, outgoing Treasurer, bid farewell to HELMEPA amid warm applause and an emotional atmosphere, after presenting the Association’s financial figures, which demonstrate a stable, healthy, and upward trajectory despite the significant expansion of its work.
HELMEPA’s General Director, Ms. Olga Stavropoulou, presented the results of the outgoing Board’s three-year term, during which participation records were set, with numerous new programs and outreach reaching 18 million people across Europe.
Vice President Mr. George Karageorgiou and Ms. Irene Daifas (General Secretary 2022–2025) highlighted the impressive, high-quality, and impactful work carried out over the past five years, noting that, based on their long-standing involvement with HELMEPA, such volume and quality of actions have never been recorded before.
HELMEPA honored the Constantakopoulos family with a special tribute to HELMEPA Junior, in memory of the late Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, one of the program’s most steadfast and significant supporters. A video showcased the family’s long-standing support through the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation and member company Costamare, which have supported the program for decades. Since its founding in 1993, HELMEPA Junior has inspired 650,000+ children participate in over 65,000 environmental activities nationwide, fostering knowledge, values, and responsibility for protecting the sea. Chairperson Ms. Semiramis Palios presented Mr. Achilleas Constantakopoulos with an honorary plaque featuring artwork by the 2nd Kindergarten of Chora, Messinia, as well as the artifact Aegean Cross by artist Micha Cattaui, as a commemorative gift.
Following the General Assembly and the election process, the new Board of Directors was formed:
New Board of Directors of HELMEPA
President: PALIOU Semiramis
1st Vice President: KARAGEORGIOU George
2nd Vice President: HAJIOANNOU Maria
General Secretary: XYLAS Ioannis
Treasurer: LIVANOU Kalli
Deputy Treasurer: ANTONIOU Harris
Special Secretary: PAPPAS Milena
Members:
APOSTOLOPOULOS Spiros Nicolas
BEIS Athanasios
DAIFAS Irene
DALACOURAS Michalis
GIAKOUMELOS Andreas
KALLIANIS Georgios
KANELLAKIS Frangiskos
MARTINOU Ioanna
NTEGIANNIS Christos
PITTA Eirini
POLYCHRONOPOULOU Eleni
According to HELMEPA’s Constitution, the General Secretary of the Panhellenic Seafarers’ Federation, Capt. Emmanouil Tsikalakis, participates ‘ex officio’ in the new Board.
Alternate members of the new Board of Directors are: ANTONIADIS Konstantinos, GLYKAS Alexandros, KALATHAKIS Anna, KONTOGOURIS Leandros, MATTHEOU Dimitrios, STEFANOU Chrysanthi, ZACHARIADIS Panagiotis.
The new Audit Committee consists of: KARAVASILIS Konstantinos, PAPAIOANNOU Marina and VARIAS Simos with alternate members: NIKOLAIDIS Emmanouil and PROTEOU Pavlina.
