PHAETHON CoE Chairman Meets Ambassador of Ethiopia to Advance EMMENA Energy R&I Platform

Meeting advances EMMENA outreach and regional cooperation, bringing Ethiopia’s academic and research community into the fold

The Chairman of the PHAETHON CoE Board of Directors, Prof. Constantinos Christofides, held a meeting on 11 August 2026 with H.E. Ms. Demitu Hambisa Bonsa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Cyprus, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in sustainable energy research and innovation.

During the meeting, Prof. Christofides presented the vision of PHAETHON CoE, its key activities and funded projects, highlighting opportunities for collaboration with Ethiopian universities, research institutions, and other organisations. Potential areas of cooperation include joint research and innovation projects, access to research infrastructure, and training and educational exchanges.

The meeting was held with the valuable assistance and in the presence of the Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Cyprus, Mr. Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, and Mr. Yiannos Georgiades, General Secretary and Permanent Representative of the Ethiopian Honorary Consulate in Cyprus.

Importantly, the discussions also highlighted the potential for Ethiopia to engage with the broader regional collaboration activities being developed by PHAETHON CoE through the EMMENA Sustainable Energy Research and Innovation Platform.

The Platform will provide a framework for long-term collaboration, connecting universities, research institutions, innovation organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders across the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. It aims to connect regional expertise, support joint initiatives and facilitate cooperation between EMMENA stakeholders and European and international research and innovation networks.

As part of the development of the Platform, PHAETHON CoE will organise its Founding Workshop in Cyprus on 9–10 November 2026, bringing together representatives from universities and research institutions across the EMMENA region.

Through two days of dialogue and knowledge exchange, participants will explore shared regional priorities, identify opportunities for collaboration and help shape the future activities of the Platform, including joint research and capacity-building initiatives, as well as connections with European and international research and innovation networks.

H.E. the Ambassador was invited to attend the Founding Workshop and expressed her interest in receiving updates on future PHAETHON CoE projects and activities, as well as in exploring opportunities for future collaboration.