Press Releases

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides,

Your Excellency, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr Arsenio Dominguez,

Esteemed Members of WISTA Cyprus and WISTA International,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is truly a privilege to address the WISTA International Conference, which is organised under the auspices of the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry and to welcome you all in Lemesos (Limassol), the capital of shipping, but mainly the home of WISTA Cyprus.

After many months, promoting the WISTA AGM and Conference, acting as your Ambassador, we are finally here, amongst so many familiar faces from WISTA International that I was fortunate to meet, either in Cyprus or during my travels abroad. Passionate, motivated women that have inspired so many people, including myself, with their dedication and professionalism.

My role today is slightly different, as the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, the first ever President participating in a WISTA Conference, will, in his own address, outline the policies and priorities of the Cyprus Government, concerning shipping and gender equality. And I want to highlight that the presence of our President today, and our First Lady’s at the “WISTAS Presidents dinner”, signifies the importance attributed to this matter by the Cyprus Government. Thank you, Mr President, for always supporting and attending all the activities of the shipping industry, despite your demanding program.

So please allow me to share with you today my own personal experiences with WISTA and some of their extraordinary achievements.

I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support shown to me since my appointment, by the President, as Shipping Deputy Minister.

Being a woman myself, my primary aspiration following my appointment was to strengthen the cooperation with WISTA Cyprus. And I was particularly impressed to have witnessed the many activities and actions that WISTA Cyprus has been promoting and has been involved in throughout the years.

From the very first day, I felt not just a professional bond, but a genuine sense of belonging to the WISTA family. And I wish to take this opportunity to thank Natalia, Despina, Anna and all the members of WISTA Cyprus for all your support.

Throughout my journey, this feeling of solidarity has only deepened. Whether here in Cyprus, or at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), or during my travels abroad, I came to realise that the WISTA family transcends beyond borders, nationalities or religion.

400 people from 40 different countries from all continents are participating today.

These are a few examples of how WISTA connects women around the world, building great collaborations and strong friendships, like the one Despina and Elpi share through WISTA International for the last 13 years since WISTA Cyprus was founded, in 2012.

All of them, a force of passionate and dynamic women, working tirelessly for gender equality and the global empowerment of women in shipping – an industry often shaped by tradition, but evolving through their efforts.

Their commitment to driving progress has not only uplifted women in Cyprus but has resonated on an international scale, leaving a lasting impact on all who witness their work. And I am thankful for the strong cooperation between the Shipping Deputy Ministry, WISTA Cyprus and the Commissioner for Gender Equality, Ms Josie Christodoulou.

This year marks a milestone for WISTA International and WISTA Cyprus, but also for Cyprus shipping in general, for a variety of reasons.

First of all, we are delighted that Cyprus has conquered this year the International Maritime Organization and received the first “IMO Gender Equality Award” with Despina Theodosiou. I was fortunate, together with my colleagues, to attend the ceremony and the celebrations at the IMO Headquarters in London, in May. Dear Arsenio, thank you for the great hospitality, but mainly for choosing the winner wisely!

This year also marks 50 years since the birth of WISTA International, and 2024 is indeed a landmark year for all women in shipping. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate my friend Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International, as well as all the members of the WISTA all over the world for this exceptional milestone. You really have come a long way since 1974, when a vision was conceived by a handful of women to promote diversity in maritime, and I am confident that through your efforts and commitment, you will continue to inspire men and women and achieve your goals.

Concluding, allow me to congratulate Natalia and all WISTA CYPRUS board members for organising a memorable and an exceptional 2024 AGM and Conference, and do not forget to save the date for Maritime Cyprus Conference 2025 on the 5^th to the 8^th of October in Lemesos, in collaboration with the Cyprus Union of Shipowners and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, in the presence of our President, Mr Nikos Christodoulides.

Thank you.

(GS/AP)