Acting Permanent Secretary – Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus

Dr. Theodoulos Mesimeris was appointed Acting Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry on 2 December 2025. Prior to assuming this role, he was appointed as Director of the Department of Environment in September 2024, following a 22-year career at the Department in progressively senior positions. He brings extensive expertise in environmental governance, climate policy and energy-related environmental matters, with a strong track record in shaping and implementing national policies and representing Cyprus in EU and international processes.

He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (2010), an MSc in Environmental Management from the European Association for Environmental Management Education (EAEME), and an additional MSc in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. He completed his BEng in Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (1995).
Over his 22-year career at the Department of Environment, Dr. Mesimeris led and coordinated key national workstreams relating to:

• the implementation of Cyprus’ climate, energy and environmental policy,
• Cyprus’ EU harmonisation processes in the fields of climate change, energy and the environment, and
• the coordination of programmes and activities related to climate action, energy and environmental protection.

During Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union (2012), he chaired the EU Working Party on International Environmental Issues – Climate Change, contributing to EU coordination on international climate negotiations and related policy files. He has also participated in a range of governmental, private-sector and European projects addressing climate change and energy issues.

Dr. Mesimeris has represented Cyprus in national, regional and international conventions, committees and conferences on climate change, energy and environmental matters, and has actively contributed to environmental awareness-raising and public education initiatives. He has also played an important role in supporting the development and promotion of legislation for climate action and environmental protection.