The good practice of Hellenic Environmental Center S.A. was included in the international study with title ‘Building a Water-Smart Economy in the Euro-Mediterranean Area: The Role of Business’, which was presented at the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum in Rome (September 29-October 2, 2026). The study was conducted in collaboration with the Country Networks of the United Nations Global Compact in the Euro-Mediterranean region (France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Turkey and Egypt). It was coordinated by the TEHA Group (The European House-Ambrosetti). HEC S.A. is member of the United Nations Global Compact and participates in the CEO Water Mandate initiative for responsible corporate water stewardship.
The results of the study were presented by the United Nations Global Compact Network Italia in a special session during the second day of the Forum’s proceedings. The participation of Hellenic Environmental Center S.A. in the research initiative is part of its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Water resources management constitutes a critical environmental challenge for the resilience and competitiveness of economies in the Mediterranean and the Broader Middle East. The study focused on innovative approaches and applicable solutions already adopted by businesses in the region, highlighting the role of the business sector in sustainable water management and the enhancement of environmental resilience.
The Euro Mediterranean Water Forum constitutes a platform for regional dialogue on water security in the Mediterranean, connecting the European Union with the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. It focuses on addressing climate change, environmental pollution and water scarcity. At the same time, it promotes regional cooperation for the development of the Mediterranean, desalination technologies, pollution prevention and water reuse, aiming to enhance water security.
Circular management of liquid oily residues
In a region of high geopolitical importance, such as the Mediterranean, the management of liquid oily residues constitutes a significant environmental and technical challenge. Their collection and treatment, as they originate from shipping and industrial activities, require specialized procedures. The goal is the protection of water resources and the marine environment, in full compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).
Hellenic Environmental Center S.A. operates an integrated collection and transportation system for liquid oily residues. It possesses a privately owned fleet of tank trucks and vessels for their collection, transportation and storage. The residues fall under Annexes I, II, IV and VI of MARPOL 73/78, while their treatment at the licensed facilities of the company is based on technology protected by international patents (WIPO, USA, China, United Arab Emirates, India and South Africa).
The process is governed by the principle of Zero Waste and constitutes an example of circular management. The company processes liquid oily residues using safe methods, converting them into secondary energy raw material, limiting the risk of pollution to the marine ecosystem. In this context, the company continues to expand its network in the ports of the Euro Mediterranean region and the Broader Middle East.
High-level international participation
The Euro Mediterranean Water Forum gathered in Rome high-ranking representatives of governments, European and international organizations, highlighting the international and institutional character of the event. Among the interlocutors were the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall and the United Nations Special Envoy for Water, Retno L. P. Marsudi.
The proceedings were also attended by the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Chair of UN-Water, Álvaro Lario, the Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Marcos Netto and the Vice President of the Arab Water Council, Professor Walid A. Abderrahman.
Government representation was strong, with ministers and deputy ministers from Italy, Egypt, Tunisia, Albania, Saudi Arabia and Portugal. The Forum attracted top executives from major European and international financial and development institutions, such as the European Investment Bank, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as representatives of the World Economic Forum. The broad participation highlighted the pivotal role of water as a major issue of environmental, economic and geopolitical importance for the Euro-Mediterranean Region and the Broader Middle East.
The study features forewords by the Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and the United Nations Global Compact Network Italy. The full text is available on the websites of the participating UN Global Compact Country Networks and the TEHA Group (The European House-Ambrosetti). References to HEC S.A. can be found on pages 38 and 84.
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