Safe Water Sports participated in the press conference held on Friday, 24 July 2026, at the Ministry of Health of Cyprus, on the occasion of World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on 25 July. During the conference, the key initiatives and the progress made in implementing the National Action Plan for safety in the aquatic environment and the prevention of drownings and marine accidents were presented.

The event was addressed by the Minister of Health, Mr Neophytos Charalambides, and the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, while a message from the Deputy Minister to the President, Ms Irene Piki, was also delivered. The Minister of Health expressed his particular appreciation to Safe Water Sports for its significant contribution to raising public awareness and providing information on water safety.

As part of the conference, Safe Water Sports presented the first Annual Report of the Cyprus Aquatic Environment Accident Observatory. According to the official data, 33 deaths were recorded in 2025, of which 28 occurred at sea and five in inland waters. Most incidents took place during the summer months, while people over the age of 70 and visitors from abroad were identified as groups facing an increased risk.

The progress of the Safe Swimming Programme for Children was also presented. Through the programme, third-grade primary school pupils acquire essential swimming, self-protection and safe behaviour skills in and around the water. Upon completion of the third pilot phase, more than 2,000 pupils will have participated in the programme since its launch in 2024.

It is a great honour for Safe Water Sports to contribute to this comprehensive national initiative of the Republic of Cyprus. Through education, awareness, the use of reliable data and cooperation among all relevant authorities, the shared goal remains the prevention of drownings and the protection of human life.