Vassilios DEMETRIADES served as Shipping Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus from July 2020 to February 2023. During his tenure, the strategic vision for Cyprus Shipping “SEA change 2030” was formulated, promoting an extroverted approach and a new philosophy and working structure within the Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM). The Strategy incorporates 35 sustainable actions to make Cyprus Shipping resilient, environmentally sustainable, more efficient and competitive. More than 70% of these actions have been implemented during his tenure. Vassilios demonstrated leadership at global and EU level in effectively responding to crises (COVID-19 and Ukraine war) taking charge of key actions to enable safe crew changes, formulating and implementing a national vaccination plan to cover 40000 seafarers, facilitating a fast-track process for seafarers affected by the war in Ukraine to open bank accounts and access their salaries. He put forward a number of incentives and funding programs aiming to decarbonize shipping (Green Tax Incentives, “Research Innovation Shipping Environment” Program), and was actively involved in the formulation of a broad and diverse set of actions required to achieve emissions reduction targets at EU and IMO level. During his tenure Cyprus’ Blue Economy was further developed through the formulation of Cyprus’ Maritime Spatial Plan. He also took regional initiatives to promote maritime safety in the Mediterranean through the promotion of a harmonized inspections regime and proposed an Agenda for sustainable use of Oceans by Commonwealth. The efficiency of SDM was further developed by creating the framework conditions for one-stop-shipping-shop through an EU funded project for the digital transformation of all SDM services already under implementation, and the adoption of the legal framework for the incorporation of Shipping Company. During the same period a maritime passenger link between Cyprus and Greece was reinstated, after a 21-year hiatus, providing alternative connectivity through an effective framework of public subsidy. Vassilios placed great emphasis to the young generation aiming to create a culture for seafaring, maritime and blue studies and professions through innovative and interactive campaigns and initiatives. Prior to his appointment he served as a Policy Officer in the Directorate General of Mobility and Transport of the European Commission coordinating the EU maritime transport strategy and EU’s external maritime transport relations for 5 years. He was previously involved in the formulation of EU sustainable shipping initiatives and he has also served the European Commission as a Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Vassiliou in the formulation, communication and implementation of EU policies on education and vocational training. He has formerly served the Cyprus Public Administration as the Head of EU Affairs Unit at the Cypriot Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works formulating Cyprus’ national position to the EU on transport, telecommunications, shipping and integrated maritime policies and he was in charge of the overall coordination of the Cyprus Presidency to the EU pertaining to these areas. Vassilios served as the first Maritime Counsellor of Cyprus to the EU, from Cyprus accession to the EU in 2004 until the end of 2008, representing Cyprus to the EU in the fields of maritime transport, intermodal transport and networks, EU Integrated Maritime Policy, EU Space Policy, Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Previously he served the Cyprus Maritime Administration of Cyprus from various posts and the private sector as an Area Marketing Manager at Remedica Ltd responsible for marketing, selling and exporting pharmaceuticals for human use to various countries all over the world. He is the Founder of VisionDo Advisory Ltd supporting companies to turn their vision into strategic planning, advising companies to explore EU funding opportunities and to effectively respond to global, EU and national regulatory challenges. He holds a BSc degree in Business Economics from Surrey University and an MSc degree in Management Science from the same University.