Starting today, June 16, the city of Drama, Greece, becomes the global meeting point for the geoscientific and industrial community of natural stones, as it hosts the 8th Global Stone Congress (GSC) — the leading international event in the field. The congress will run through June 20, 2025, welcoming scientists, professionals, academics, researchers, and policymakers from around the world.
Organized for the first time in Greece by the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME) and the Association of Marble Enterprises of Macedonia-Thrace (SEMTH), the congress aims to highlight cutting-edge developments, foster collaboration, and promote sustainable practices across the natural stone sector.
The GSC 2025 program includes:
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Presentations of scientific research and technological advancements
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Discussions on sustainability, quarrying, processing, and stone trade
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Special panels on cultural heritage and architectural applications
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Site visits to local quarries and marble processing plants
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Parallel cultural events and thematic exhibitions
The choice of Drama as host city is no coincidence. Together with Kavala and Thassos, the region is recognized as a global hub for white marble, with 70% of Greece’s marble quarries located here, accounting for over 90% of the country’s primary marble extraction value.
By hosting the 8th Global Stone Congress, Drama steps into the international spotlight, promoting dialogue on the future of natural stones and showcasing Greece’s potential in a sector with significant environmental, cultural, and economic importance.
