The Cyprus Diaspora Forum’25 is currently in its third day. The event officially opened on Thursday with a series of panel discussions, following a welcome reception on Wednesday evening.

The four-day forum, founded by Paul Lambis, brings together members of the Cypriot diaspora and stakeholders from Cyprus’ public and private sectors.

Back to the Future: Adapting Business for a Changing World

A panel discussion on “Back to the Future: The Business World is Rapidly Changing” takes place in Conference Room A. The session explores how lessons from the past can inform strategies for navigating an evolving entrepreneurial landscape.

Keynote speaker Dr. George Theocharides, Chairman of CYSEC Cyprus, joins a panel to address themes such as sustainability in business, the role of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, the global shift to remote work, diversity and inclusion, social impact, resilience, and encouraging entrepreneurship among younger generations.

Building Secure Foundations: The Role of Cybersecurity in Earning Trust

A panel discussion on “Cybersecurity: Protecting Against Threats and Building Trust” will explore how organisations can establish long-term credibility through a sustained commitment to cybersecurity.

As digital threats continue to grow, businesses must adapt their security measures to protect customer data effectively. The session covers key cybersecurity technologies and best practices, the link between security and customer trust, approaches to creating a secure business environment, and emerging trends shaping the future of cybersecurity.

The panel highlighted the growing importance of regulatory compliance in building digital trust: “The General Data Protection Regulation obliges companies to regulate the way personal data is exchanged. It is directly applicable, and failure to comply leads to fines and lawsuits.”

Another key point raised was: “It’s not just about regulations. It’s about ensuring real security, because trust is what keeps customers with you.” The discussion covered GDPR, DORA, and NIS2 as key frameworks shaping cybersecurity practices.

Investment Strategies in Cyprus: Opportunities and Risks

A panel discussion on “Finance and Investment: Strategies for Building Wealth” explores Cyprus' growing role as a leading investment fund centre in Europe, offering unique access to high-growth markets.

The country is dedicated to staying ahead of industry developments, continuously enhancing its legislative and regulatory frameworks. As a result, Cyprus has become a strategic location for setting up investment funds and establishing asset management companies with a pan-European reach.

The discussion will cover various aspects, including an analysis of the Cyprus market and economy, the key sectors driving the Cypriot economy, the advantages and risks of investing in Cyprus, regional and global influences, investment funds, corporate services, and private wealth management.

Hosted at the Amara Hotel, the agenda includes a mix of B2B and B2C activities, such as panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions scheduled throughout the event.

Panel Discusses Future of Banking and Fintech: Trends, Innovations, and Customer Experience

A panel discussion titled “Fintech and Banks: Impact and Innovations in Financial Technology” is part of today’s agenda. The session focuses on how technological innovation is reshaping the financial sector, with an emphasis on improving customer experience, increasing accessibility, and driving operational changes within traditional institutions.

Topics include the resilience of Cyprus’ financial services sector, collaboration opportunities between banks and fintech firms, current trends and future outlooks in the industry, developments in customer service, and Cyprus’ role as a base for both new and established businesses.

The panel discussed the evolution of payment systems, noting the transition from complex platforms like JCC in 2010 to modern, streamlined systems such as Stripe, which can be set up with just a few clicks.

“Tokenization and AI provide the foundational base for fintechs and banks to thrive,” highlighting the importance of these technologies in shaping the financial ecosystem.

Panelists emphasized the role of technology in driving connectivity, security, and efficiency across industries. “We provide connectivity, reliability, security, and infrastructure that help businesses achieve their targets,” reflecting the growing use of AI in fraud prevention and risk management .

The relationship between banks and fintechs was also discussed, with a focus on the interconnectedness of both sectors. “Banks and fintechs cannot coexist without being interrelated. We rely on banks for money movement, and vice versa.”

As for the future of AI, it was noted that “AI helps us operate faster, automate processes, and enhance customer experience,” stressing its role in operational efficiency. Despite concerns about AI replacing jobs, panelists pointed out that “AI is creating more jobs than it’s replacing, especially in technology-related fields.”

Finally, the business opportunities presented by AI were discussed, with panelists stating, “AI is not only used to improve security; it also enhances customer experience and opens up new avenues for business.”