Cyprus Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou called for more accountable, action-driven leadership in the energy sector, stressing that women must play a central role in decision-making as the industry confronts rapid transformation and mounting pressure to deliver sustainable solutions.
Speaking at the EGYPES 2026 conference in Cairo, Christodoulou said modern energy leadership must be grounded in accountability, clarity of vision and decisive action — qualities she argued are critical to fostering innovation, resilience and collaboration within organizations.
Her remarks came during a session titled “The Power of Accountability and Action-Centered Leadership,” part of the conference’s Leadership and Development program, which examined how industry leaders can drive growth by empowering teams and setting clear strategic direction.
Christodoulou emphasized that women’s equal participation is essential in a sector evolving quickly amid global climate and energy challenges. Despite progress, she noted, women remain underrepresented across the industry, particularly in senior roles, and continue to face pay disparities.
“Strengthening women’s presence is not only a matter of equality,” she said, “but a prerequisite for sustainable development, stronger innovation and a more effective response to the energy and climate crisis.”
The session, held Wednesday in the conference’s Spotlight Hall, also featured Hany Esmat, chief executive and country chair of Petronas, and Mavis Anagboso, global head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Harbour Energy.
EGYPES 2026, held March 30 to April 1 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, brought together more than 2,200 delegates and over 350 speakers for 94 sessions, along with strategic roundtables and industry conferences. The event focused on the theme “transforming energy through collaboration, action and realism” and is widely regarded as a leading platform for energy dialogue in North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
On the sidelines of the conference, Christodoulou, accompanied by Cyprus Ambassador to Cairo Poly Ioannou, met with Amal Amar, president of Egypt’s National Council for Women; Marwa Allam El Din, deputy representative of U.N. Women in Egypt; and members of the EmpowerMed Women network of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum.
