Chief Scientist Advocates Transformative Leadership To Close The Gender Gap

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 25, 2026

Empowering Change At The Women Who Built Europe Summit

Cyprus presented its approach to inclusive innovation at the Women Who Built Europe summit in Brussels, highlighting the work of 35 women from government, business and technology. Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides said closing the gender gap in research and innovation requires a shift in how leadership is approached, with a stronger focus on inclusion.

Structural And Cultural Shifts For Inclusive Growth

Speaking during a fireside chat at the Council of the European Union, Skourides said progress depends on both policy changes and broader cultural shifts. He pointed to the importance of collaboration across teams and sectors, noting that changing perceptions is as important as introducing new measures.

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Policy Initiatives And Notable Achievements

Skourides outlined several initiatives led by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) to support women in science and research. Between 2023 and 2025, the foundation launched 90 calls for proposals with a total budget of €100 million. These programmes created 739 jobs in research and innovation, including 209 roles filled by women. Female participation in leadership has also increased. Women led 61.16% of submitted proposals, while 76.4% of funded projects were coordinated by women.

Reinforcing Cyprus’ Role In STEM And Global Innovation

Cyprus’ national agenda reflects a strategic commitment to gender equality across all sectors. Women now represent 42.3% of participants in science, engineering, and STEM, 29.3% in ICT, and 37% of the cabinet, bolstered by initiatives such as Women for Tech and Women for Cyber. The summit also drew influential voices, including European Parliament member Tsvetelina Penkova and EU Female Founders president Monika Stanisheva, exemplifying the robust network of female leadership.

Historical Impact And A Vision For The Future

Skourides placed Cyprus’ advancements in a broader historical context, recalling over two centuries of female influence in shaping technological fields from programming languages to quantum technologies. He invoked the legacies of pioneers such as Ada Lovelace and Parisa Tabriz to illustrate the enduring impact of women in technology. Additionally, he addressed the performance-funding paradox by referencing research that demonstrates up to a 35% higher return on investment for companies led by women, further substantiated by leadership traits observed in Fortune 500 firms.

Leading By Example At Home And Abroad

The Cypriot delegation highlighted 35 women across different sectors, including public service, technology and healthcare. Their work reflects a broader shift toward more inclusive leadership and serves as a reference point for future initiatives.

Call To Action For A Future Of Inclusive Leadership

Skourides said progress will depend on strengthening networks, sharing experience and building partnerships at an international level. He encouraged women to take on leadership roles and contribute actively to shaping the future of innovation.

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Cyprus Promotes Ship Registry In Asia As Fleet Grows To 25-Year High

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

Cyprus is stepping up efforts to attract international shipowners, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis holding high-level meetings in China and Japan as the country’s ship register reaches its strongest level in 25 years.

Running from October 14 to 29, the Asian mission focuses on expanding commercial ties, promoting the advantages of the Cyprus flag and strengthening cooperation with shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime authorities.

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China Meetings Target Shipowners And Industry Leaders

In Shanghai, Hadjimanolis met Wang Qian, vice-director of the Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce and Shipping Service Office, ahead of the North Bund International Shipping Forum on October 20–21. Organisers expect around 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, with discussions covering international shipping, maritime safety, financing, insurance, digitalisation and the transition to cleaner fuels.

The minister also met representatives of Dalian Trawind Shipping and Fortuna Shipbrokers Inc. to present the Cyprus registry’s advantages and explore registration opportunities for vessel owners. On October 20, she is scheduled to speak at the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum in Pudong, joining a ministerial roundtable on international maritime leadership.

A visit to Zhoushan is also planned for the naming ceremony of Kypros Island, a new vessel for the Cyprus register owned by Safe Bulkers. Launched in June at the Tsuneishi shipyard on Xiushan Island, the 81,200-deadweight-tonne methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier is scheduled for delivery at the end of October. According to the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, sea trials were due to take place between October 11 and 16.

Japan Engagements Strengthen Maritime Ties

Before travelling to China, Hadjimanolis met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenta Aoshima, in Tokyo on October 16. Her programme also included meetings with senior representatives of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Nihon Shipyard, NYK Line, ITOCHU Corporation and SSY Projects, focusing on cooperation with Japanese shipowners, shipbuilders and shipping operators.

At the 5th Annual Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum, held at the Tokyo American Club, Hadjimanolis discussed maritime leadership, competitiveness, policy and international cooperation with Capital Link founder and president Nicolas Bornozis. Other sessions examined Japan’s shipbuilding strategy, new-vessel financing and the development of ammonia-powered ships.

The Tokyo programme followed a Cyprus Ship Registry reception on October 15 for representatives of Japan’s maritime and business communities. Hadjimanolis outlined the country’s shipping services and regulatory framework, while Polys Hajioannou, chief executive of Safe Bulkers and president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, delivered the opening remarks.

Registry Reaches Highest Level In 25 Years

At the reception, Hadjimanolis said the Cyprus Ship Registry had grown by 27% since September 2023, reaching its highest level in a quarter of a century. She attributed the expansion to efforts to improve competitiveness, simplify administrative procedures and provide more responsive services to international shipowners.

Cyprus’s inclusion on the White Lists of the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding was another point highlighted by the minister. These lists reflect the safety and inspection performance of ships flying a national flag.

Existing commercial links with Japan include Safe Bulkers’ announcement in May of four Japanese-built dry bulk vessels scheduled for delivery in 2029.

South Korea Next On The Maritime Agenda

Hadjimanolis’ mission will continue in South Korea, where she is expected to attend the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event and Korea Maritime Week alongside International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and government representatives from several countries.

Her programme will also include discussions on implementing international maritime conventions and bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Cyprus’s shipping ties with South Korea.

The Asian outreach comes as maritime centres compete for shipowners amid geopolitical uncertainty, fleet renewal and pressure to reduce shipping emissions. For Cyprus, the strategy combines promotion of its registry with closer relationships across Asia’s shipbuilding and shipping sectors.

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