Press Releases

24 March 2023

 It is a great pleasure welcoming you all to this event. This hackathon represents a unique opportunity to bring together some of the most talented individuals in the fields of technology, innovation, and security. Over the next 2 days, you will have the chance to collaborate and create innovative solutions that will help enhance the defence and security of our countries.

Today, we are facing unprecedented challenges that threaten our national security and it is imperative that we find new and innovative ways to address them. Hackathons have proven to be a powerful tool for fostering innovation and I am confident that this event will yield ground breaking solutions, that will help to address the complex challenges we face.

The defence and security domain is a highly specialized field and it demands innovation, agility, and collaboration. The world is constantly changing and we must keep up with the latest technologies and methodologies to protect our citizens, our borders, and our interests. In recent years, we have seen significant advancements in technology that have revolutionized the way we approach defence and security. From drones to artificial intelligence, technology is playing an increasingly important role in protecting our countries.

We need to leverage this technology and innovation to create solutions that are tailored to our unique challenges. We need to work together to find solutions that are effective, efficient, and sustainable. We need to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems that may seem insurmountable. That is why this hackathon is so important. It provides a platform for the brightest minds in the industry to come together and tackle these challenges head-on.

As we begin this hackathon, I would like to remind everyone of the significance of the work we are doing. The solutions you create here have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people. They have the potential to keep Cyprus safe and secure, and to protect our values and way of life. The stakes are high, but I have no doubt that you are up to the challenge.

At this hackathon, you will have access to some of the most advanced technologies and tools available. You will also have the support of some of the most experienced mentors and subject matter experts in the field. They will provide guidance and feedback to help you refine your ideas and develop your solutions.

Throughout this event, I encourage you to collaborate with your fellow participants. You all bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table and, by working together, you can create solutions that are more comprehensive and effective. I also encourage you to think about the long-term sustainability of your solutions. The challenges we face are not going away anytime soon, and we need solutions that can adapt and evolve over time.

At the same time, I want to emphasize that this event is not just about solving technical problems. It is also about fostering collaboration, creativity, and teamwork. You will be working alongside people from different backgrounds with different skill sets, and you will need to learn how to work together effectively to achieve your goals. You will need to be open to new ideas, willing to take risks and ready to push the boundaries of what is possible.

I also want to stress that this event is about more than just winning. Of course, we all want to see great solutions and innovative ideas, but the real value of this hackathon lies in the process itself. The skills you will learn, the relationships you will build, and the experience you will gain will be invaluable, regardless of the outcome of the competition.

Last but not least, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your participation in this hackathon. I am confident that together we can create innovative solutions that will make a real difference. I wish you all the best of luck and I look forward to seeing the results of your hard work.

Thank you.

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Note: The speech was read by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Andreas P. Louka, on behalf of the Minister of Defence.

(NG)