George Demosthenous, Maria Panayiotou, Michalis Persianis to speak at Green Agenda Cyprus Summit

This year’s sustainable development conference puts the spotlight on strengthening Cyprus’s national strategy for the Green Transition. The primary goal is to position the country as a model of environmental responsibility and sustainable growth, making a meaningful contribution toward a greener, more resilient future.

At the Green Agenda Cyprus Summit 2025, scheduled for May 19 at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, George Demosthenous, Maria Panayiotou, and Michalis Persianis will play key roles as speakers, offering insights and leadership on pressing environmental topics.

George Demosthenous will deliver a keynote address titled “Voda.Ai: Every Water Drop Counts.”

He is the president and CEO of VODA.ai, an award-winning U.S.-based artificial intelligence company that collaborates with utilities to reduce water loss, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve service to local communities. VODA.ai is a global leader in pipeline failure prediction and infrastructure risk assessment, powered by a sophisticated and evolving AI platform.  Before founding VODA.ai, Demosthenous worked with Mueller Water Products. He currently serves on the board of the Hellenic Innovation Network and is a mentor at Cyprus Seeds. He holds a graduate degree from Harvard University and is based in Boston.

Dr. Maria Panayiotou will participate as a panelist in the discussion “The Agro Transition and How It Reflects on Everyday Life.”
A historian specializing in modern and contemporary history, Dr. Panayiotou studied history and archaeology at the University of Cyprus, completed postgraduate studies at the University of Birmingham (MPhil in Modern East Mediterranean History), and earned her PhD from the University of Cyprus in 2017.  From 2017 to 2022, she served as a special scientist at the University of Cyprus, teaching economic history and contributing to more than seven high-level research projects funded by national and European bodies. Her work includes archival research, data analysis, and research project management. She played a key role in the “Cyprus File” project (2007–2010) and has published widely on topics such as Cyprus’s economic history, agricultural trade, port infrastructure, and British fiscal policy.  In January 2024, she was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, following her tenure as Environment Commissioner from March 2023.

Michalis Persianis will moderate the panel discussion “Green Transition, Funding and Risk Management.”

Mr. Persianis is the chairman of the Fiscal Council and a seasoned corporate affairs director with extensive experience in the banking sector. His areas of expertise include corporate social responsibility (CSR), customer experience (CX), marketing, and corporate identity. He is also highly skilled in crisis communication, journalism, international relations, and corporate communications, making him a well-regarded figure in the media and communications field.

The Green Agenda Cyprus Summit 2025 is presented by Kathimerini, under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic.

Platinum Sponsors: Hellenic Bank - Member of the Eurobank Group, Alpha Bank, Philip Morris Cyprus
Gold Sponsors: Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Fameline Holding Group, Invest Cyprus, EY Cyprus, Unicars, Cyfield
Silver Sponsors: Cyta, Sklavenitis Stores, Photos Photiades Breweries Epilogi, LLPO Law Firm
Supporters: Nespresso, Vittel, Fitness Granola
Energy Partner: Eunice Energy Group

For the program and ticket availability, visit www.agenda.cy
For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.cy/showEventInformation.html?idEvent=6058