Unemployed persons decrease by 6.4% in September 2025 YoY

The number of unemployed persons, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of September 2025, reached 7,624, down by 6.4% compared to September 2024, the Statistical Service said in a statement today.

Based on the seasonally adjusted data which reflect the trend of unemployment, the number of registered unemployed for September 2025 decreased to 9,711 persons, in comparison to 10,053 in the previous month.

It is added that in comparison with September 2024, a decrease of 518 persons or 6.4% was recorded, a decrease mainly attributed to the sectors of trade, construction, financial and insurance activities, manufacturing, as well as to the decrease recorded for newcomers in the labour market.

Cyprus Shipping Industry a cornerstone of our economy, CSC President says

The Cyprus Shipping Industry remains a cornerstone of our economy, President of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber Andreas Neophytou, has said.

In his address at a Reception hosted by the Chamber on Sunday evening in Limassol ahead of the ‘Maritime Cyprus 2025’ Conference, he said that despite global challenges, it continues to thrive.

A press release by the Chamber says that the reception attracted a remarkable turnout of over 800 distinguished representatives. The event, it adds, brought together Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomats, State Officials, representatives of professional organisations, as well as senior executives from the Cyprus and Global Shipping Industry, highlighting the respect and prestige the Chamber enjoys both locally and abroad.

In his address, Neophytou, welcomed the attendees and emphasised the pivotal role of Cyprus Shipping in the national economy and global trade and said that ‘the Cyprus Shipping Industry remains a cornerstone of our economy, driving trade, supporting other sectors, and ensuring the continuous flow of essential goods globally”.

“Despite global challenges, it continues to thrive, with a strong merchant fleet and a reputation for excellence in shipowning, ship management and shipping related services. Cyprus has become a trusted international Shipping hub, as reflected in the more than 200 shipowning, shipmanagement, and shipping-related companies operating from Cyprus, managing and providing services to over 2,800 ships with approximately 80,000 seafarers onboard at any given time” he pointed out.

The prestige and international recognition enjoyed by the Maritime Cyprus Conference are tangible proof of this trust and success, he concluded.

The press release says that since the very first edition of the Maritime Cyprus Conference in 1989, the same year the Chamber was established, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber has consistently supported this important forum, contributing substantially to its success and international reputation.

“The highly successful Reception served as a prelude to a week of meaningful dialogue, collaboration and exchange of ideas in the framework of the ‘Maritime Cyprus’ Conference, which once again brings together leading global shipping executives and stakeholders, continuing to highlight Cyprus’ strategic importance on the global maritime map,” the press release concludes.

Strengthening of the primary sector of paramount importance, President says

The strengthening of the primary sector is of paramount importance, not only because we owe it to our rural world and countryside, but also in order to address the consequences of climate change, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday, noting that the issue of the Common Agricultural Policy and the funds to be allocated by the EU will be among the top priorities of the forthcoming Cyprus Presidency of the EU.

Speaking on Saturday evening at the 9th Rural Culture Festival of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization in the fire-stricken community of Lofou, President Christodoulides, said that so far the government has provided around 80 million euros for the properties destroyed in the July 23rd fire, assuring that ‘the State is here and will respond.’

‘The strength, resilience, and determination of the residents of the community are a tangible and exemplary demonstration that in the countryside one encounters the dynamism that characterizes the Cypriot farmer and rural woman, who fight to keep our land alive,’ he added.

He also pointed out that the practical and substantial support of the agricultural community is not a matter of choice or political priority, but ‘a minimum obligation of the state, which must ensure a secure future without dependencies on external factors.’

‘We see what is happening with the war in Ukraine and the dependencies it creates. We see what is happening internationally with the issue of protectionism and the taxes that some governments choose to adopt, resulting in some countries becoming dependent on or deprived of basic products because they failed to give the necessary importance to the primary sector,’ the President said.

At the same time, he noted that it is regrettable that the primary sector currently represents only 1.7% of the country’s GDP, whereas it once had a double-digit percentage. He stressed that ‘strengthening the primary sector is of primary importance, not only because we owe it to our farmers and countryside, but also to tackle the consequences of climate change.’

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 05/10/2025 UNTIL 0600 06/10/2025

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1016hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage at times.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

Temperature drop, rain, and possible thunderstorms as of Tuesday evening, Met Office says

The low-pressure system approaching Cyprus will bring, from Tuesday evening through Wednesday and Thursday, a drop in temperature, intermittent local rain, and possibly isolated thunderstorms, meteorological officer Mattheos Papadakis has told CNA.

Clarifying that until Tuesday evening temperatures will remain at seasonal normal levels, around 30 degrees inland, 29 along the southern and eastern coasts, 27 degrees along the northern and western coasts, and about 21 in the higher mountainous areas, Papadakis said that if the forecast is confirmed, this low-pressure system will be the first to affect Cyprus this year.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, temperatures will gradually fall and be below the seasonal average, he noted, adding that temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 26 degrees, with the drop being particularly noticeable in Nicosia, especially if it rains.

Minister announces funding of Regional Dog Shelter and animal neutering

Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, announced on Saturday that the government would allocate pound 100,000 for the spaying and neutering of dogs, triple the budget for spaying and neutering cats – from pound 100,000 to pound 300,000 – as well as a pound 150,000 grant for the creation of a Regional Dog Shelter in Paliometocho area, in Nicosia district, during an event, held in the capital, on the occasion of World Animal Day.

Panayiotou stressed that, on World Animal Day, the Ministry has made ‘three important decisions’. She referred to a pound 100,000 grant for the spaying and neutering of dogs, noting that ‘it is the first time that a separate amount has been given exclusively for this purpose’.

The second decision concerns the tripling of the budget for cat neutering, from pound 100,000 to pound 300,000, satisfying, she said, a request by both volunteers and organisations, ‘which has been heard’.

The Minister also announced that her Ministry has received a request for the creation of a Regional Temporary Dog Shelter in Paliometocho, submitted by the Municipalities of Strovolos, Nicosia and Lakatamia. ‘We will provide a pound 150,000-grant for the needs of the shelter’, she said, describing this as ‘a very important development’.

Responding to a question about animal abuse, the Minister underlined that the purpose of organising such events is to raise awareness and inform the public. Addressing such behaviours requires synergies and cooperation from everyone, she said, adding that ‘we must always highlight the aspect of individual responsibility.’

Referring to the government’s initiatives, the Minister emphasised that ‘we are implementing the actions included in the government programme and enriching them according to the needs that arise.’ She recalled that the government expanded the role of the Office of the Environmental Commissioner last year, including the aspect of animal welfare.

She added that ‘the effort continues,’ indicating other actions such as the increase in funds for neutering and spaying, and the amendments to the legislative framework currently in Parliament, among other things.

Cyprus President expresses hope that Trump’s plan for Gaza will be implemented

Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed on Sunday hope that US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza will be implemented, noting that the Republic of Cyprus is doing its utmost towards this direction.

In statements to the press upon his arrival at the inauguration ceremony of a Health Center in Akaki village, in Nicosia district, the President said that this plan ‘has the support of the international community, the support of the EU, and the support of the Arab world, and we hope that it will soon be accepted by all sides so that we can move forward with its implementation.’

He added that ‘we have repeatedly noted the need to end the current situation in Gaza. In this regard, the Republic of Cyprus, both as a country of the region and as an EU member state, is doing its utmost during this direction,’ he noted.

Vafeades-Javorcík discuss preparations ahead of Cyprus EU Presidency

Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Alexis Vafeades discussed on Friday in Nicosia issues related to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU with Peter Javorcík, Director-General for Transport, Energy, Environment and Education (DG TREE) of the Council of the European Union.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry on Saturday, Vafeades and Javorcík discussed preparations for the Council of Transport Ministers, which will be held in June 2026 in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

‘In addition, Mr. Javorcík offered his full assistance to the Minister for his upcoming hearing before the European Parliament (Transport Committee) at the beginning of the Cyprus Presidency, as well as for the organisation of the Informal Council of Transport Ministers, which is scheduled to take place in Cyprus at the end of April 2026,’ the press release added.

Vafeades and Javorcík ‘agreed to meet again at the end of October and to continue close cooperation with the aim of a successful Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU,’ it concluded