With the focus of promoting the sustainable development and preventing the desertification of critical areas, such as the islands, is held in Kastelorizo ​​(September 20-21), the 2nd Smart Islands International Conference for the support and development of the small islands. The Conference is co-organized by the International Hellenic Association (IHA) and the Municipalities of Megisti, Varis-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Kalymnion and Kifissia, while under the auspices of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE). During the conference, representatives of expatriate organizations, local government, state, academic community, market, as well as residents and expatriates of the island, exchanged views and developed proposals for immediate solutions in areas such as energy, water, water, training, training, training. Particular reference was made to the positive results of the 1st Smart Islands conference in 2024 in Pserimos, which were also confirmed by the delegates. The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, Theodoros Spathopoulos, praised the contribution of expatriate Hellenism, emphasizing his timeless support in critical national areas. Digital governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou underlined the importance of sustainable development and innovation in the small islands, pointing out the contribution of local government to the link between technology with social and economic progress. As he stated, “The ‘smart’ islands can be patterns of green growth and durability ‘. The Secretary General of Information Systems and Digital Government, Demosthenes Anagnostopoulos, presented the measures taken by the government to strengthen the small islands. The Greetings were sent, inter alia, by Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanassis, Piraeus Chamber President Vassilis Krokidis and Australian Ambassador to Greece Alison Dunan. In his address, ND Dodecanese MP and former Deputy Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Yiannis Pappas, emphasized the importance of cooperating all stakeholders to find solutions that will provide equal opportunities and support to small, remote islands. The Mayor of Kalymnos, Yiannis Mastrokoukos, through Deputy Mayor Popi Koutouzis, referred to the successful example of a private and public sector cooperation in Pserimos. He stressed that today the residents enjoy better infrastructure and services, and a comprehensive strategic plan for the island is being implemented. The Mayor of Varis-Voula-Vouliagmeni and the First Vice-President of KEDE expressed satisfaction for the co-organization of the conference, Grigoris Constantellos, who thanked the co-organizers and pointed out the political nature and responsibility of the conference. He emphasized that the acrimonious island and demographics must be at the center of the central administration and proposed the “adoption” of small islands by large municipalities. The Mayor of Platanias and a member of the Crete Party, Yiannis Malandrakis, expressed the intention of the large municipalities of Crete to provide steady support to small municipalities, such as the Municipality of Megisti-Kastelorizo, to upgrade the quality of life of residents and visitors. Mayor of Kifissia, Vassilis Xyolitas, said the municipality’s readiness to contribute to decisions on the island, but also to the preparation of technical studies, such as the construction of a helicopter in Pserimos. At the same time, an autopsy was carried out for the reconstruction of Fylis Square and the expansion of the sports facilities in Kastelorizo, as well as investigating the construction of a support area on the island of Rome. The Mayor of Pylaia-Chortiatis and President of the Central Macedonia PED, Ignatios Kaitzidis, described as a moral obligation and responsibility to support the acrimonious area, emphasizing the importance of the small islands for the national border. He proposed a national plan to “adopt” small islands, with the aim of tackling their needs and attracting new residents. The problems of small islands, such as population decline, birth rate, increased costs of energy and transport, as well as infrastructure pressure due to over -tourism, were reported by Deputy Mayor Nikitas Gryllis, proposing institutionalization of special resources, enhancing services and flexibility in smart growth solutions. The placements of young residents, such as 22 -year -old Nikolaos Karavelantzis, who talked about the dreams and difficulties of young people in the islands, was particularly sensible to make a special feel, asking for unity and action to stay in their place. Similar was the placement of a student of the local high school, who expressed his concern about the future on the island. On the second day of the conference, the participating mayors and the Secretary General Dimosthenes Anagnostopoulos visited the island of Rome, where they paid tribute to the monument to Despina Achladiotis, the well -known lady of Rome.