Nicosia Partners With Israel’s Mekorot To Strengthen Water Security

by News Editor

August 4, 2026

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.

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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.

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Retail’s AI Push Faces A Cybersecurity And Regulatory Reality Check

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

Artificial intelligence is becoming a strategic priority for retailers, with 80% of retail leaders planning to increase investment in the technology, according to EY’s latest CEO Outlook Survey. However, growing concerns over cybersecurity, customer privacy and regulation could complicate adoption across an industry already facing inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and changing consumer expectations.

Confidence In AI Comes With Risks

The survey found that 80% of retail leaders are confident in their ability to expand the responsible use of AI and customer data. Retailers are increasingly applying the technology to demand forecasting, inventory management, customer service and personalised marketing, seeking to improve efficiency and respond more quickly to market changes.

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Yet adoption brings new vulnerabilities. EY found that 24% of retail leaders identified cybersecurity and data privacy as a leading business risk for the year ahead. Retailers manage sensitive customer information, payment systems and complex supply chains, making effective security and governance essential as AI becomes more deeply embedded in their operations.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 highlights the wider challenge: 87% of organisations reported rising cyber risks linked to AI vulnerabilities, while 94% expected malicious AI to have a significant impact on cybersecurity in 2026.

Regulation Will Shape AI Adoption

Regulatory frameworks are also influencing how quickly retailers can expand their use of AI. The European Union’s AI Act, China’s state-led governance model and measures introduced by individual US states are shaping the rules around the technology.

For retailers, compliance is becoming a strategic consideration, particularly for customer-facing applications that use personal data to personalise offers, automate interactions or analyse consumer behaviour. Regulatory missteps could carry significant costs in a sector where customer trust is critical.

EY Outlines Four Possible Futures

EY recommends that retailers plan for multiple outcomes rather than assume the current investment boom will continue uninterrupted. Its analysis draws on a four-scenario framework developed by Jim Dator of the University of Hawaii.

One scenario envisages constrained AI adoption as economic pressures, regulation, cyberattacks, legacy systems and poor data quality limit progress. Retailers in this environment may prioritise lower-risk back-office applications, such as finance, procurement, inventory and logistics, while customer-facing tools face resistance.

A second scenario anticipates continued growth, with sustained investment and widespread adoption. A third envisages deeper economic and social transformation as technology reshapes business operations. The fourth considers systemic breakdown, in which a small number of technology platforms control access to AI models and charge premium prices, potentially making advanced capabilities less accessible even to large retailers.

Governance Will Determine Competitive Advantage

EY’s findings suggest that investment alone will not determine which retailers benefit most from AI. Companies will also need robust cybersecurity, effective governance and strategies that can adapt to different economic, technological and regulatory conditions.

For a sector operating on tight margins, the challenge is to turn AI investment into lasting business value while managing the risks that come with greater dependence on the technology.

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