REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
SHIPPING DEPUTY MINISTRY
Shipping Deputy Minister’s Office
Speech of the Shipping Deputy Minister Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis
Cyprus BBQ Reception IMO Council 137
Tuesday, 7th July 2026
London, UK
Your Excellency Secretary-General,
Dear Arsenio,
Dear friends,
Καλησπέρα,
Good evening,
It is always a pleasure, to return to London to host you, together with my associates, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus.
Events like this, give us the opportunity, to step beyond the formal setting of negotiations and meetings, and to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and friendship, that lies at the heart of the IMO.
Cyprus, a maritime nation with a longstanding maritime tradition, and a strong commitment to international shipping, maintains one of the largest fleets in the world, and is a well-established maritime centre, providing high-quality services across the sector.
Our success, is closely linked to the work and values of the IMO. We firmly believe that global challenges in shipping, whether related to safety, security, environmental protection, or decarbonization, can only be addressed through multilateral cooperation. Cyprus, remains fully committed to supporting the IMO’s objectives, and to contributing constructively to its work, by working together with all of you.
Allow me also, to briefly reflect on another important chapter that has just concluded for my country. Cyprus has recently completed its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, an intense and highly productive period, during which we worked diligently to navigate complex global challenges and promote stability, resilience, and progress.
We have placed particular and unwavering emphasis on the human element of shipping. Cyprus has long recognised that the seafarers are the backbone of global trade. Ensuring their wellbeing, skills, and future prospects, has always been a priority for us and as such, it was placed as a central priority of our Presidency.
In this context, Cyprus led the adoption of the Lefkosia Declaration, a flagship initiative agreed and signed by all 27 EU Member States, which places people firmly at the centre of maritime policy, setting out a comprehensive framework to strengthen seafarers’ education and training, promote upskilling and reskilling, while promoting equal opportunities, for the participation of women, in the sector.
We are proud of what has been achieved, and deeply grateful for the spirit of cooperation that made it possible.
And I am personally grateful to all my associates at the Ministry, that worked tirelessly and with professionalism, either from the capital, or our maritime offices in Brussels and London, to secure one of the most successful presidencies.
Christos, Riana, Nikolas, Maria, thank you. I am very proud of your work and commitment, and honored, to have collaborated with all of you. Now, once again, we are ready to welcome Riana, back to Cyprus.
At this point, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, I would like to extend our sincere best wishes to Ireland for a successful Presidency and to assure them of Cyprus’s full support throughout its tenure.
Tonight, is about connection, enjoyment and of course football. But, it is also about appreciation.
Together, with my team, we would like to honour an associate, a valued member of our Representation and a trusted friend, Mr. Spyros Miltiades, Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus in the UK and Alternate Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the IMO, for the collaboration and commitment during his post in the UK.
Dear Spyros,
Together, we achieved a lot, and I am sure that we will achieve much more from your post in Cyprus.
I wish you all a pleasant evening.
Thank you.