The official opening ceremony of the 10th anniversary Athens Democratic Forum, an annual international conference held in Athens, took place on September 28, 2022,

The forum features representatives of international business elites, famous politicians, representatives of academic circles and international experts in order to determine the key guidelines for the development of the societies of the democratic world.

The key issue of this year's forum was the Russian war waged in Europe against Ukraine and the entire democratic world.

Among the honored guests of the forum this year were the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

During the event, the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis awarded the Ukrainian People and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the City of Athens Democracy Award, as a symbol of the indomitability and struggle of the Ukrainian People for democratic values.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a video address to the participants of the Forum.

"We know what gives democracy its strength, what serves as its heart, which ensures the supply of freedom, like blood, to every part of a democratic society - to every person. It is - unity.

When societies are completely atomized, when there are no stable ties between peoples, when someone may not come to the aid of another in a democratic community, democracy weakens, slows down, falls apart.

We see this now in the war that Russia has waged against our people and against our common democratic system. The more unity we have, the more tangible are the Russian defeats.

We have a lot to do to further strengthen our unity. And every such step to strengthen is a step to protect democracy. Not just somewhere, not just in some country – but, for all of us and for our children."

The full text of the President's speech can be found at the link: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/sho-bilshe-u-nas-yednosti-vidchutnishi-rosijski-porazki-prez-78097