Digital Agenda Summit 2024: Unveiling Cyprus' Tech Future
President of the Republic: "Digital Agenda Summit is a significant contribution to public dialogue and digital transformation."
The Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit 2024 brought together a distinguished lineup of international experts, leading Cypriot innovators, and prominent government representatives to explore the path forward for digital transformation and innovation. The discussions spanned global trends in technology, talent development, and creative industries.
During the opening address, President Nikos Christodoulidis emphasized the summit's crucial role in shaping Cyprus’ digital future, noting that its impact "extends beyond our country’s borders." A major highlight was the government’s announcement of the Cabinet’s approval for digital signatures, a significant step toward modernization for both citizens and businesses. Furthermore, the government unveiled a subsidy initiative to support the acquisition of digital IDs for the public.
The full-day event, starting at 9:00 AM and wrapping up by 6:00 PM, was held at the packed Nicosia Municipal Theatre. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking sessions throughout the day.
In a key speech, Charalambos Prountzos, the Mayor of Nicosia, introduced two new digital initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents, with a focus on fostering better communication and interaction between citizens and local authorities.
Central topics of the conference included the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in various sectors and Cyprus' unique opportunity to become a regional tech leader, provided it continues to advance its digital capabilities.
Former Estonian Prime Minister, Taavi Roivas, praised Cyprus’ prospects, particularly in becoming a hub for digital nomads. He underscored the importance of digital government services, sharing Estonia's success story as a model for Cyprus.
Speakers such as Calum Chase and David Rowan offered insights into the advancements in AI, while Beth Davies, an expert in talent development with experience at Apple and Tesla, shared strategies for nurturing the next generation’s skills.
Andreas Neocleous, CEO of CYTA, made a noteworthy announcement, revealing plans for Cyprus to achieve 100% 5G and Fiber coverage by 2025, making it the first European country to do so. However, he also called for higher standards, criticizing outdated technological choices in areas like airport infrastructure.
Jason Bevan, previously Warner Bros. EMEA’s Creative Development Head & VP of Marketing, inspired attendees with insights from the film industry, encouraging a daring approach to creativity and innovation.
The summit featured presentations from four standout Cypriot startups, showcasing their journeys in transforming ideas into successful products. Kyriakos Kokkinos, former Deputy Minister of Innovation, highlighted Cyprus' progress, noting its impressive 15th position on the EU Innovation Scoreboard, ranking highest among southern European nations.
As the Digital Agenda Summit 2024 drew to a close, participants enjoyed the Cyprus Cocktail Festival, which brought together the vibrant atmosphere of Nicosia with the spirit of the summit. The Cyprus Museum remained open late, inviting hundreds of guests to explore its collections as part of the evening celebrations.
The summit was held under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, with principal sponsorship from the Bank of Cyprus and CYTA.
