Governor Talks: Europe Under Pressure: Securing Growth and Resilience in a More Fragile World

Governor talk

DATE: Apr 16, 2026

DAY: Thursday

1:45 PM - 2:15 PM

LOCATION: Cedar Hall, HQ1-1-660

Event Series

Overview

Europe is once again under pressure. A renewed escalation of the war in the Middle East is adding to an already uncertain global environment—driving energy price volatility, complicating the inflation outlook, and testing Europe’s economic resilience. This comes at a time when growth remains subdued, productivity gains are limited, and fiscal space is increasingly constrained. At the same time, Europe faces rising demands: strengthening energy security, financing defense, advancing the green and digital transitions, and maintaining social cohesion. The challenge is no longer how to respond to a single shock—but how to operate in a world of repeated and overlapping shocks. In this Governor’s Talk, Alfred Kammer and Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis will discuss how Europe can secure both stronger growth and greater resilience—by deepening integration, strengthening policy frameworks, and making difficult but necessary choices.

Governor Talks: Europe Under Pressure: Securing Growth and Resilience in a More Fragile World

Panelists

Kyriakos Pierrakakis

Kyriakos Pierrakakis serves as Minister of Economy and Finance of the Hellenic Republic in Prime Minister Mitsotakis' Cabinet since March 2025, and is a Member of Parliament. Previously, he was Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports (2023-2025), where he initiated a series of reforms of Greece’s education system, most notably establishing a framework for private universities to formally operate in Greece for the first time and banning mobile phones in classrooms. As Minister of Digital Governance (2019-2023), he led Greece’s digital transformation, with the creation of the government portal gov.gr being the most notable initiative and one of the most popular reforms initiated in Greece. He chaired the OECD's Global Strategy Group since 2021, a position he was re-appointed to in 2024.

Pierrakakis holds degrees from MIT (M.S. Technology and Policy), Harvard Kennedy School (Master in Public Policy), and Athens University of Economics and Business (B.S. Computer Science). Born in Athens in 1983, he is married with three children and speaks English and French.

Alfred Kammer is the Director of the European Department at the International Monetary Fund since August 2020. In this capacity, he oversees the IMF’s work with Europe.

Mr. Kammer was previously the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Managing Director, advising the Managing Director on strategic and operational issues and overseeing operations for the senior management team; Deputy Director of the Strategy, Policy and Review Department, overseeing the work on Fund strategy and surveillance policy; Deputy Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, overseeing regional economic developments and financial sector issues; Director of the Office of Technical Assistance Management, advising management on technical assistance operations and overseeing fundraising and global partnerships for capacity building; and Advisor to the Deputy Managing Director. Mr. Kammer also served as resident representative of the IMF in Russia. Since joining the IMF, Mr. Kammer worked with countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and on a wide range of policy and strategic issues.