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Nicosia Partners With Israel’s Mekorot To Strengthen Water Security

The Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (EOA) has entered into a new partnership with Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, as Cyprus looks to strengthen water security and modernise the management of its water resources.

Signed on Tuesday, the memorandum of cooperation will focus on sharing expertise in areas such as desalination, wastewater reuse, smart water networks and flood management. The initiative comes as both Cyprus and Israel continue to face mounting pressure on water supplies due to their shared Mediterranean climate.

Improving Water Efficiency

Reducing water losses is expected to be one of the partnership’s immediate priorities. According to EOA President Constantinos Yiorkadjis, non-revenue water in the Nicosia district currently stands at around 20%, making it the lowest rate among Cyprus’ districts and below the European Union average.

He said the district organisation has continued investing in modern infrastructure, digital technologies and operational improvements to make water services more reliable and sustainable. Working with Mekorot, he added, will provide access to international expertise and practical experience in tackling some of the region’s most pressing water challenges.

A Broader Exchange Of Expertise

The agreement extends beyond water distribution. Both organisations plan to cooperate on wastewater management, flood prevention and the adoption of advanced technologies, while also identifying future areas where technical collaboration could deliver long-term benefits.

Mekorot Chief Executive Officer Barak Graber said Cyprus and Israel face similar environmental conditions and depend on the same Mediterranean water basin, creating natural opportunities to work together on shared challenges. The partnership, he noted, will focus on setting priorities and developing practical solutions through a long-term approach.

Building On Existing Cooperation

Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik described water management as both an environmental and strategic priority, highlighting Israel’s experience in maximising the efficient use of limited water resources. He also noted that Mekorot has already contributed to desalination projects in Larnaca and Limassol.

The latest agreement builds on a relationship that stretches back more than a decade. Cyprus’ Water Development Department has worked with Mekorot on desalination projects since 2015, with Director Eliana Tofa saying the company’s technical expertise has provided valuable support throughout that collaboration.

Cyprus Steps Up Efforts To Attract U.S. Tech Investment And Talent

Cyprus is preparing a renewed push to attract U.S. technology companies, investment and skilled professionals, with President Nikos Christodoulides expected to lead a delegation to the United States at the end of November 2026.

The visit will build on contacts made during the president’s April 2025 trip and focus on turning interest from the U.S. technology ecosystem into business partnerships, investment and opportunities for Cypriot professionals abroad. A central part of the effort is a New York event on Nov. 30, organized by the Presidency and Invest Cyprus under the “Minds in Cyprus – The Brain Gain Initiative.”

The initiative is designed to connect Cypriots working in the United States with companies operating in Cyprus that are seeking specialized talent. It also reflects a wider economic challenge: attracting technology businesses is difficult if the country cannot provide enough experienced professionals to support their growth.

Building On Earlier U.S. Engagement

The upcoming mission follows a series of meetings in the United States in April 2025, when Christodoulides met representatives of major companies, including Nvidia, Amazon, Google, OpenAI, Tenstorrent and Plug and Play.

Since then, Plug and Play and Tenstorrent have opened offices in Cyprus. The engagement with Nvidia has also been significant, although the company has not established an office on the island. The collaboration contributed to the development of computing infrastructure and the installation and operation of Cyprus’s first operational supercomputer.

Contacts with other technology companies, including Amazon, Google, OpenAI, Oracle and Microsoft, have continued since the 2025 meetings. Interest appears to be ongoing: the president of Invest Cyprus recently said that two additional U.S. companies had approached the organization seeking information about establishing operations in the country.

Turning Business Contacts Into Investment

The government’s aim is to build on the momentum of the previous visit and convert engagement with U.S. businesses and technology leaders into concrete commercial outcomes. Christodoulides has said that meetings with Cypriot scientists and entrepreneurs in technology and innovation helped inspire Cyprus Catalyst, a network intended to connect Cypriot professionals in the United States with the country’s business community.

The network is designed to create channels for collaboration, investment and growth between Cyprus and the U.S. technology ecosystem. The president has emphasized that international outreach should lead to tangible partnerships and economic opportunities, rather than remain a series of diplomatic or business contacts.

Investment And The Brain-Gain Strategy

Attracting foreign companies is only one part of the government’s strategy. The other is encouraging Cypriot scientists and professionals living abroad to return, bringing skills and experience gained in international markets.

The two goals are closely linked. New technology companies create demand for specialized employees; returning professionals can help meet that demand. For Cyprus, the availability of skilled workers is also a factor in whether prospective investors decide to establish operations on the island.

The Nov. 30 event in New York will bring together Cypriot professionals working in the United States, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and members of the wider Cyprus-U.S. business community. Its purpose is to present the professional opportunities emerging in Cyprus and connect attendees with organizations seeking people with specific expertise.

What Participants Can Expect

According to the published program, attendees will be able to:

  • Learn about current and expected job openings in Cyprus and meet representatives of local businesses.
  • Take part in one-to-one matchmaking meetings with companies seeking professionals with specific skills and experience.
  • Hear about developments in the Cypriot economy, priority growth sectors, investment opportunities and the business environment.
  • Review the government’s Action Plan for the Repatriation of Talent and the options available to professionals considering a return.
  • Build professional connections with Cypriot scientists, entrepreneurs and members of the broader U.S.–Cyprus business community.

The mission’s broader test will be whether Cyprus can translate international interest into sustained investment—and pair that investment with the talent needed to support long-term growth.

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