The Cyprus Diaspora Forum held in Limassol from 6-9 March 2024, brought together Cypriot diaspora communities, prominent figures from Cyprus’ public and private sectors, media, academia, and civic society with the goal of recognising and promoting the importance of Cyprus’ diaspora while strengthening relations through entrepreneurship, innovation, philanthropy, cultural and social engagement.
The four-day B2B event, founded by Paul Lambis, was held at the Parklane Resort and Spa, and attracted prominent business professionals and talented Cypriots of the diaspora, including HNWIs and foreign investors interested in the island’s growth sectors and its unique investment opportunities.
The forum started with an exclusive Breakfast Networking Event, attended by Limassol Mayor, Nicos Nicolaides, United States Ambassador to Cyprus, H.E. Julie D. Fisher, Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Fiona McKergow, Former Commissioner for Overseas Cypriots, Photis Photiou, Secretary General of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marios Tsiakkis, CEO of Invest Cyprus, Marios Tannousis, Chairman of CySEC, Dr. George Theocharides, Managing Director, Cyprus Seeds, Maria Markidou Georgiadou, Director General RIK, Thanasis Tsokos, Real Estate Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, John Christodoulou, Founder and CEO, Meaningful Synergies, Branka van der Linden, and many more reputable individuals and organisations outlining the importance of Cyprus’ diaspora in forging connections and joining forces to support the island’s growth sectors and further enhancing its reputation as a dynamic business hub.
The Breakfast Networking Event was hosted by renowned Television and Radio Journalist, Emilia Papadopoulos, and featured entertainment by the award-winning Cyprus Choral Association, under the direction of Nikolas Therapontos, and renowned Cypriot soprano Mariza Anastasiades.
The following four days of the forum included moderated panel discussions covering a wide range of topics within Cyprus’ growth sectors, such as hospitality and tourism, health and wellness, media, culture, arts, film, television, theatre, music, literature, education, sports, social and philanthropy, international relations, finance, law, energy, shipping, real estate, business, and innovation. Cypriots of the diaspora, entrepreneurs, policymakers, stakeholders, ministers and deputy ministers, government organisations, as well as business leaders from Cyprus and across the world came together to share their own perspectives, resulting in dynamic, meaningful dialogue promoting excellence through leadership.
The Cyprus Diaspora Forum also included one-on-one fireside chats with pioneering individuals such as cultural activist, Tasoula Hadjitofi, renowned psychologist, Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, chief strategy and growth officer, Peter Abraam, President of the Recording Academy/GRAMMY Awards, Panos A. Panay, Executive Chairman of Libra Group, George Logothetis, and retail magnate and entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis.
The four-day event concluded with an impressive gala dinner and awards ceremony attended by over 350 guests, who were welcomed on arrival by the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, followed by a rich entertainment programme referencing Cyprus' traditions through music and dance by Christos Shakallis, as well as exclusive performances by Andrew Lambrou, last year's Eurovision representative for Cyprus, renowned Greek Cypriot singer Marilia Charalambide, Konstantinos Michaeloudes, and Vasiliki Hajiadamou, who performed with Pavlos Michaelides and his orchestra. A special guest performance included Cyprus’ 2024 Eurovision representative, Silia Kapsis, who performed the ballade version of her song ‘Liar’.
Materials are presented by the Organizing Committee of the Cyprus Diaspora Forum
