If the world were a chessboard, the next moves are being written right now — and the Limassol Economic Forum is one of the few places where you can catch a glimpse of them. From Moscow to Beijing, and from Brussels to Washington, the global order is being reshaped. Old alliances are being tested, new power centres are emerging, and the very rules of diplomacy are being rewritten.
In the middle of it all stands Europe — a continent caught between crises and reinvention, faced with the question of whether it will simply react to history or take the lead in shaping it.
The “Geopolitics – Diplomacy & International Relations” session at the 16th Limassol Economic Forum (24 October 2025, Parklane Resort & Spa) will open the day with a deep dive into this new world in flux — exploring how global diplomacy, strategy, and leadership must adapt to survive and thrive in a fragmented age.
When Borders Shift — and So Does Power
Geopolitics has never been more fluid. The world is no longer divided by East and West, but by interests, technologies, and narratives.
Europe is struggling to stay united and influential. The United States is reassessing its foreign policy priorities. Russia is navigating uncertainty, while China advances methodically in its ambition to redefine the balance of power.
Amid shifting alliances and fractured trust, the Forum’s first session sets out to explore what it truly means to live in a multipolar world:
Can diplomacy still build bridges where politics builds walls?
How can global powers cooperate when competition defines their every move?
And most crucially, can Europe reclaim its voice — and act with purpose on the world stage?
Europe at the Heart of the Conversation
The session opens with Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, addressing “Europe and the Future of European Integration.” Her keynote will set the tone for a discussion that goes beyond policy — into the question of what kind of Europe we want to build: one that speaks with a single voice, that defends its values and interests, and that can shape the course of world events rather than be swept along by them.
Following her address, a fireside chat with Mrs. Demetriou, moderated by Evgenios Evgeniou, Chairman of Invest Cyprus, will explore whether a European Defense Union is still a dream or an emerging reality — and how smaller states like Cyprus can play an outsized role in a region where diplomacy, energy, and security intersect.
Rethinking Global Security
Next, Ambassador (retired) Jonathan R. Cohen, Distinguished Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, will take the stage for a thought-provoking presentation titled “Towards a New International Security Architecture: Adapting Yesterday’s Institutions to Tomorrow’s Challenges.”
Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience, Ambassador Cohen will explore how the shift in global power dynamics — the rise of China and other middle powers, the weakening of post-WWII institutions, and the evolving role of the U.S. — has created an urgent need for a new international framework for peace and stability. From the war in Ukraine to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, his insights will highlight how diplomacy, defense, and technology must evolve together in the age of artificial intelligence.
Ambassadors’ Roundtable: Diplomacy in a Fragmented World
The session concludes with a panel discussion featuring ambassadors from key nations, titled “Diplomacy in a Fragmented World: National Perspectives on Global Shifts.” Representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, and India will share their countries’ perspectives on global priorities, from peace efforts in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, to the new economic order, U.S. tariff policies, and the rising influence of China and India.
The conversation — again moderated by Evgenios Evgeniou — will also spotlight Cyprus’s strategic role as a regional and diplomatic hub, bridging continents and conversations in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Limassol as the Meeting Point of Ideas and Power
More than just a conference, the Limassol Economic Forum has become a landmark event in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the future of the global economy and diplomacy is debated by those shaping it.
Under this year’s theme, “The Dawn of a New World Order,” the Forum will capture the essence of a world in transition — one where old certainties have faded, new alliances are forming, and the ability to think strategically is once again the ultimate currency of influence.
Conference Information
Organizers: IMH and IN Business magazine
Platinum Partners: Bank of Cyprus, Deloitte Cyprus, Elias Neocleous & Co LLC
In collaboration with: Cyprus LSE Alumni Association
Supporters: Limassol Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Ιnvest Cyprus, National Betting Authority
Media Sponsors: Cyprus Business News (CBN), GOLD magazine
For more information and registrations, please contact IMH:
Tel: +357 77777741│ Fax: +357 22679820
Email: events@imhbusiness.com
