Address by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, at the conference under the title “Advancing Prevention and Equity through AI and Digital Transformation. The Impact of EU and National Cardiovascular Health Plans’’, at the Presidential Palace
It is a great honour and a pleasure to welcome you to the Presidential Palace for this highly significant conference. A conference dedicated to the future of cardiovascular health in Europe. I am particularly pleased that this event takes place in Cyprus during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), as it gives it added value and symbolism.
I am also very pleased, because this conference brings together policymakers, scientists, clinicians, patient representatives and our European partners, and the presence of all of you sends a clear and powerful message: that innovation in healthcare must be guided not only by technology, but also by shared responsibility, robust evidence and solidarity.
Across the EU, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and disability, accounting for more than one-third of all deaths. In Cyprus, despite our high life expectancy, one in four deaths is still linked to cardiovascular disease.
These are not abstract figures. They represent human lives; parents, partners, children and colleagues; lives cut short, families affected, and dreams and potential unrealised. They remind us that prevention is not merely a policy choice, but a moral and social imperative.
For Cyprus and my Government, strengthening prevention and early intervention constitute strategic priorities. In this effort, we aim to improving outcomes and aligning national action with European objectives. Our National Strategic Plan for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Management is fully aligned with the priorities of the EU, the World Health Organization and the latest scientific evidence.
Our strategy promotes integrated approaches to:
- strengthening primary prevention throughout one’s lifespan;
- reducing major modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity;
- driving innovation through digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled health tools; and
- strengthening capacity across the healthcare workforce.
This strategy is not an abstract policy document; it is a practical roadmap towards improved health outcomes, reduced inequalities and enhanced quality of life for every citizen of Cyprus. It also reflects broader European initiatives, such as the Safe Hearts Plan, reminding us that progress in healthcare is greatest when national efforts are reinforced by strong European cooperation. And this is a great added value of your conference.
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the most significant societal challenges, impacting not only our health systems but also families, economies and social cohesion. In ageing European societies, including our own, we are witnessing a growing burden of chronic diseases, making this challenge even more complex. This reality requires revised thinking focused on new tools, stronger partnerships and closer cooperation at European level and beyond.
One example is AI. When governed responsibly and applied ethically, it can offer enormous potential to transform healthcare, thus improving the quality of life of our people. From predictive analytics that identify individuals at high risk to AI-supported clinical decision-making that enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes, we stand at the threshold of a new era in cardiovascular care.
Technology, however, does not in any way replace strategy – it amplifies it. AI must be embedded within policy frameworks that safeguard privacy, ensure equitable access and strengthen human capacity. We must invest as much in training, regulation and governance as we do in algorithms and data systems. This is a shared responsibility for policymakers, healthcare professionals, patients and civil society.
Cyprus, though small in size, is determined to be an active contributor to the dialogue on shaping Europe’s health agenda. We firmly believe that every country, regardless of size and capacities, can play a meaningful role in piloting innovation, sharing experience and best practices, and shaping policies that are both ambitious and realistic.
As the current Presidency of the Council of the EU, we are committed to advancing discussions on equitable access to innovation and medical products, strengthening medical supply chains and enhancing cross-border cooperation and integration of our health systems.
I therefore encourage you to use this forum not only to present technological advances, but also to engage in open and constructive dialogue:
- on how we can better prepare and improve our health systems;
- on how we can support and empower healthcare professionals; and
- on how we can ensure that patients remain at the centre of every digital transformation.
Let us always remember that the true measure of progress is not the sophistication of our tools, but the improvement in the quality of life of our citizens. At the heart of every strategy and policy, and behind every statistic, lies a human story. It is therefore our collective responsibility to ensure that our decisions translate into longer, healthier and more dignified lives for our citizens.
I wish you a productive and inspiring conference, and I am hopeful that groundbreaking ideas and collaborations will emerge from your deliberations.