Keynote to Session – Cyprus: A Strategic Bridge Between the EU and the Gulf Region

Keynote Address by Demetris Skourides
Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus
Cyprus Diaspora Forum 2025

May, 8 2025 – start is 11am
Keynote to Session – Cyprus: A Strategic Bridge Between the EU and the Gulf Region

Distinguished guests, esteemed members of the Cypriot diaspora, fellow participants,

It is both an honour and a privilege to open this session at the second annual Cyprus Diaspora Forum; an initiative that speaks directly to the heart of Cyprus’ global vision.

This Forum is more than a meeting of minds. It is a dynamic platform that connects Cypriots across continents and generations. And today’s topic of discussion, Cyprus as a strategic bridge between the European Union and the Gulf Region, could not be more timely, nor more aligned with our national priorities in research, innovation, diplomacy, and sustainable development.

Cypriots living abroad exceed 800,000.  The cyprus diaspora is a part of our history;  a vital extension of our national capability; and a global network of influence, talent, and opportunity.

Today, the diaspora plays a pivotal role in shaping how Cyprus is perceived on the international stage. It promotes our culture, builds bridges of trust and trade, and opens new channels for investment, innovation, and collaboration. The strengthening of this relationship offers profound benefits for both Cyprus and its global community.

This is why the Research and Innovation Foundation proudly supports this year’s Forum. Our support is a clear expression of our belief in the Forum’s power to evolve into a key institution for innovation-led growth.

I’d also like to extend our warm thanks to the Best Invest Congress for co-organising today’s session. Your contribution reflects the spirit of collaboration needed to drive meaningful, cross-border progress.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cyprus stands at a unique intersection – geographically, politically, and economically – between Europe and the Gulf Region; with the potential to serve as a strategic pillar connecting the EU and the GCC. In a world defined by rapid technological advancement and shifting alliances, this role is more relevant than ever.

In an era where countries share geopolitical interests and geographic proximity, pursuing the development of diversified service economies.  In an era where the global game is technology-driven, and data is the new oil consumed by AI algorithms and powered by access to infrastructure such as silicon chips, talent, and market scale – Cyprus is speaking a new language. A language of alliances built on science, technology, and innovation diplomacy.

At the Office of the Chief Scientist, we are shaping a new strategic direction; one that embeds research and development at the heart of value creation and value capture across every sector of our economy.

We understand that to realise the ambition of Cyprus Vision 2035, every partnership must be strategic. But more importantly, strategic partnerships demand new strategic capabilities. They must be measured by their real-world impact. And they must be nurtured through structured engagement, active listening, exchange of best practices, and shared learning.

This is how we can truly unlock the potential for nations, governments, institutions, and industries to co-create, co-innovate, and go to market together.

Cyprus’ stability, democratic values, European identity, and proximity to the GCC position it as an ideal launchpad for socioeconomic partnerships, trade flows, and cross-border innovation. And it is research and innovation that must lead the way.

Built on a foundation of excellence in research and innovation, Cyprus offers ideas and implementation. We provide real incentives, financial and operational, that allow global partners to use Cyprus as a launchpad into the European market; a market whose GDP exceeds $18.3 trillion, making it the second largest globally, after the US.

Cyprus’ ports, market size, industrial outreach, conducive business environment, highly educated workforce, security, quality of life, and growing tech and financial sectors make it an ideal location for investment and collaboration.

One of our most urgent objectives is to bridge the gap between research and market readiness. Our focus is threefold: public-private partnerships, commercialisation pathways, and international collaboration.

We support Cyprus-based companies in developing robust IP portfolios, launching patents into global markets, and preparing to scale beyond our borders. To that end, international partnerships are indispensable. In the past 18 months, I have had the privilege of engaging with nations across East and West—from the United States and Japan to Singapore, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Finland, and Spain – placing Cyprus firmly on the map as a strategic partner for innovation. These are not just visits or meetings. This is a new kind of diplomacy; technology-driven, innovation-fueled, and scientifically grounded. It is a powerful new language of collaboration, trust, and co-creation. And it is changing the game. Cyprus is no longer just participating in global conversations; we are helping define them.

across the globe to promote Cyprus’ R&I agenda and establish bilateral cooperation agreements. One such outcome was our Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates, signed in February 2025, focused on artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Importantly, this agreement was catalyzed by members of the Cypriot diaspora, who first connected at this very Forum last year. It is a powerful example of what becomes possible when national ambition meets global networks.

Our ambition is clear: by 2026, Cyprus-based startups and research institutions will gain access to markets representing over one billion consumers, including high-growth regions such as the GCC and ASEAN.

The GCC alone is projected to grow its ICT sector from $129 billion in 2024 to over $203 billion by 2029. These are not just statistics; they represent untapped opportunities for Cypriot innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnership.

This is why we must now position the Cypriot research and innovation ecosystem not just as a hub, but as a global co-creation platform, where nations come together to design deep-tech solutions, drive sustainable development, and build the digital economies of tomorrow.

Let me be clear: every partnership must be strategic, and must be measured by impact. This philosophy is at the heart of Cyprus Vision 2035 – our long-term strategy to transform Cyprus into a digitally empowered, innovation-driven economy.

We advocate for commercialization; but that can only be achieved when startups, innovation companies, and R&D organizations shift their mindset on capturing value created. This can happen by building a backbone in business development and through investing in Chief Growth Officers.

Cyprus is now speaking a new language; the language of collaboration, technology, trust, and shared prosperity. And this Forum, by activating the voice, talent, and reach of the diaspora, is shaping the very future we seek to build.

Let us use today to commit to partnerships that unite Cyprus with its diaspora and the global innovation community; to transforming bright ideas into real-world impact; and to making Cyprus a strategic pillar of infinite innovation and opportunity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Η Κύπρος μιλά πλέον τη γλώσσα της καινοτομίας, της εμπιστοσύνης και της κοινής προόδου.  Και η φωνή της ακούγεται δυνατά σε κάθε ήπειρο, σε κάθε συνεργασία, σε κάθε καινοτομία.

Thank you, and I wish you all a productive and inspiring session ahead.