UAE And Mediterranean Alliance: Forging A Future Of Resilience And Innovation

Strategic Geography And Shared Heritage

The United Arab Emirates is positioning Cyprus and the broader Mediterranean region as pivotal partners in constructing a resilient, innovation-driven economy. At a panel discussion during the Investopia Global Mediterranean Forum in Limassol, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri underlined the inherent strengths of a relationship built on both geographic proximity and a shared cultural heritage.

Building A Resilient And Diversified Economy

Minister Al Marri emphasized that a solid foundation is essential to support long-term economic diversification. He outlined key areas where collaboration is critical, including energy, infrastructure, digitalisation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and artificial intelligence. His remarks highlighted the need for strategic alignment that not only benefits the UAE but also strengthens the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in its engagement with the Mediterranean.

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Cross-Regional Investment And Energy Connectivity

The dialogue also spotlighted a burgeoning trend: the increasing presence of Cypriot investors in the UAE and the Gulf. Al Marri noted that this mutual exchange of investment expertise and opportunities is transforming this relationship into a robust, bidirectional partnership. In particular, he pointed to energy connectivity and high-voltage transmission as pivotal areas for future cross-border collaborations, addressing the significant challenges that lie ahead in energy transportation and infrastructure development.

The Investopia Platform: A Catalyst For New Economies

Introducing the Investopia platform, Al Marri underlined its role as a strategic response to global shifts. The initiative is designed to promote emerging economic sectors, from digitalisation and tourism to supply chain optimization, positioning the Mediterranean as a dynamic and forward-thinking investment partner for the Gulf. This forum, held at Parklane Resort and co-organised by the Ministry of Energy, IMH, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), and Invest Cyprus, marks a significant step in deepening cross-regional collaboration and elevating economic resilience across both regions.

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Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 25, 2026

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

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European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

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