The city of Thessaloniki hosted the first meeting of the expanded Network of Cities for Integration, focusing on enhancing the role of Immigrant and Refugee Integration Councils. Key topics included improving legislative frameworks, connecting communities with local and central authorities, and investing in education, housing, employment, and cultural initiatives. Officials emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure meaningful inclusion of immigrants and refugees, as highlighted by the Deputy Mayor of Social Policy, Efthymios Chatzitheoklitos, and the President of Athens Integration Council, Thanasis Chimonas.