PHAETHON CoE Chairman Meets UAE Embassy Diplomats

Discussions focus on regional energy cooperation and the establishment of an EMMENA Research and Innovation Platform

The Chairman of the PHAETHON CoE Board of Directors, Prof. Constantinos Christofides, held a fruitful meeting on 8 February 2026 with Mr Ahmad ElEmad, Head of the Economic, Political and General Diplomatic Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nicosia. The meeting marked the first in a planned series of contacts with Embassies of Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa (EMMENA) countries based in Nicosia.

During the meeting, Prof. Christofides presented the vision and mission of PHAETHON CoE, as well as its key activities, highlighting in particular the establishment of a Sustainable Energy Research and Innovation Platform for the EMMENA region, to be coordinated by PHAETHON CoE.

The initiative foresees collaboration with universities and research and innovation (R&I) institutions across EMMENA countries, the organization of regional meetings, and the preparation of studies addressing common regional challenges in the field of green energy.

Later this year, PHAETHON CoE plans to organise a workshop in Cyprus with the participation of representatives from universities and/or R&I institutions from the EMMENA region. The workshop will aim to explore potential areas of collaboration and define clear next steps.

Officials of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates welcomed the initiative and expressed their readiness to support its implementation, including by facilitating connections with entities interested in joining the EMMENA Platform.