The UNESCO University Chair, awarded to the "Digital Culture, Smart Cities, Internet of Things (IoT) and Advanced Digital Technologies and Services" Laboratory, with Chair Holder Professor Dimitrios D. Vergados, Director of the Laboratory and is yet another International Distinction for the Professor and the Laboratory of the University of Piraeus. This is an important distinction, as it is the first UNESCO University Chair awarded to the University of Piraeus.

The UNITWIN Program is a unique intellectual and strategic resource of approximately 900 institutions from more than 120 countries with the aim of strengthening the links between policy and practical research and development at national, regional and global levels.
The Opening Event was adressed by Professor Dimitrios D. Vergados, Holder of the UNESCO Chair, Ms. Aikaterini Tzitzikosta, President of the Greek National Committee for UNESCO, Ms. Domna Maria Michailidou, Deputy Minister of Education, Religion and Sports, Ms. Gulnara Roll, Secretary to the Committee on "Urban Development, Housing, Land Management" on behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (#UNECE), Geneva, Switzerland and Associate Professor Spyridon Roukanas, Vice Rector of Academic, Administrative and Student Affairs, at the University of Piraeus.

The Vice Rector of Academic, Administrative and Student Affairs Spyridon Roukanas, in his address, described the distinction as highly symbolic and important, which highlights the high-quality research work carried out in the laboratory and strengthens the extroversion of both the laboratory and the University of Piraeus as a whole, strengthening their position on the world academic map.

The purpose of this UNESCO University Chair is to contribute educationally and consultatively to the promotion of the development of sustainable urban creative cities, using new technologies and services as well as the preservation of cultural heritage because culture has the power to transform societies, strengthen local communities, forge a sense of identity and belonging and increase the attractiveness of cities.

Creative Cities are UNESCO's key partners in the local implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda, a milestone for the international community as it is the first time that 'universal' targets have been set internationally.

At the event, the mission and goals of the Chair were presented, and the future areas of action and their contribution to the promotion of the UN's 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals were elaborated.
Professor Dimitrios D. Vergados, who coordinated the event, pointed out that the purpose of the Chair is to contribute educationally, research and consultatively to the soft integration of technology in the urban environment, providing new services to promote sustainable and smart cities, climate neutral ecosystems and sustainable mobility with an emphasis on creativity and innovation..

The Event was concluded by highlighting the importance and contribution of the UNESCO Chair "Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources" to the creation of sustainable human-centered smart cities by promoting creative collaboration for sustainable development.
The invited speakers were Mr. Petros Varelidis General Secretary for Natural Environment and Water, Ministry of Energy and Environment - Vice-President of the Energy and Water Waste Regulatory Authority and Associate Professor of the University of Piraeus Mr. Dimitrios Psychogyos, DEMO S.A. Pharmaceutical Industry, the Director of Technology and Digital Transition, Mr. Evangelos Vagias Stavros Papapanagiotou, General Manager of Internet Business Hellas, Vasilios Skliros, Co-Founder of the company Hellenic Drones.
Speakers were also Mr. Professor Iosif Stefanou, Emeritus Professor of Town Planning, Department of Architectural Engineering, NTUA- Konstantinos Karatsolis, Lawyer, Town Planning and Environmental Law, DTK Law Firm - Konstantina Sioutri, Architectural Engineer, Teacher of P.M.S. DigitalCulture SmartCities IoT, Member of the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Headquarters - Antony Cassano, Business Development Manager, UNISYSTEMS S.A.