Egypt, Cyprus Deepen Maritime Collaboration with New Sustainability Agreements

Egypt and Cyprus have taken significant steps to strengthen their maritime partnership, following recent high-level discussions in Egypt. Cyprus’ Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis visited Egypt from October 29 to 31 at the invitation of Egypt’s Minister of Transport, where the two nations formalized a commitment to enhancing maritime operations, sustainable practices, and cruise tourism links.

The visit marked the establishment of a new joint commission to facilitate long-term cooperation and create efficient communication channels between Egyptian and Cypriot maritime authorities. This commission aligns with an existing merchant shipping agreement between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of mutual support in regional trade and maritime sustainability.

While in Ismailia, Hadjimanolis met with the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority to discuss ways to leverage the canal’s strategic role in regional and global trade. Together, they explored opportunities for a green transformation, focusing on clean energy solutions to make canal operations more sustainable. The discussions included an in-depth look at the Suez Canal’s dual corridor system and the potential to increase the canal’s environmental efficiency.

In Alexandria, Hadjimanolis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, aiming to advance maritime education, research, and innovation. This MoU will allow Egypt and Cyprus to share knowledge and expertise in maritime sciences, providing new opportunities for students and professionals in the maritime sector. Hadjimanolis also presented Cyprus’ national cruise tourism strategy to Alexandria’s Governor, highlighting Egypt and Cyprus’ shared goal of promoting the region as a premier cruise destination.

Her visit further included discussions with Egyptian-owned shipping companies, where she introduced Cyprus’ Register of Shipping as a collaborative avenue for Egyptian stakeholders looking to expand their operations.

Hadjimanolis’ visit to Alexandria coincided with the United Nations’ World Cities Day, observed globally on October 31, which Egypt hosted this year. The event emphasized the urgent need for sustainable urban development, particularly as cities are expected to house 70% of the world’s population by 2050. Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, along with Cabinet officials and China’s Minister of Housing, Urban, and Rural Development, attended the event to discuss the year’s theme, “Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability.”

The UN highlighted the role of young people in combating urban challenges brought on by climate change, especially in regions like the Global South. The event stressed integrating youth voices in local governance, with international recommendations calling for youth councils, representation in decision-making, and structured dialogues between policymakers and young leaders.