The Law School of the University of Nicosia (UNIC), together with the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, will hold a one-day conference on same-sex couple adoption on Saturday, 5 September 2026, from 9:00 to 13:00at the UNESCO Amphitheatre, University of Nicosia. The event brings together legal academics, practising lawyers and representatives of children's rights and LGBTQI+ advocacy organisations to examine the issue from both a national and a European legal standpoint.
Why the conference matters
The programme addresses a subject that remains legally unresolved in Cyprus, where same-sex couples currently have no right to adopt jointly. Speakers will explore the issue from multiple angles, including the social dimensions of same-sex parenting, the State's legal obligations under children's rights frameworks, the current standing of the Civil Partnership Law of 2015, and how the matter is treated under the European Convention on Human Rights and EU law.
Opening addresses
The event opens with welcome remarks from:
- Achilleas K. Aimilianidis, President of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts and Dean of the UNIC Law School
- Elena Perikleous, Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights
- Anna Michaelidou, President of Accept-LGBTQI Cyprus
First session: social aspects and national limitations
Moderated by Stefanos Evangelidis, Secretary of Accept-LGBTQI Cyprus, the first session runs from 9:30 to 11:20 and features three presentations followed by discussion:
- Georgia Charalambous, PhD in Educational Sciences and Special Scientist at the Department of Social Sciences and Behavioural Sciences, European University Cyprus, will speak on same-sex parenting and its social dimensions.
- Vasilis Sotiropoulos, lawyer at the Greek Court of Cassation (Areios Pagos), will address the State's legal obligation to recognise LGBTQI+ parenthood from the perspective of children's rights.
- Theognosia Kouspi, lawyer and Secretary of the Cyprus Bar Association's Committee for Legal Modernisation and Study of Bills and Public Law, will examine the uncertain progress of the Civil Partnership Law of 2015.
A 20-minute discussion follows, before a coffee break at 11:20.
Second session: European protection
Moderated by Christina Ioannou, Deputy Dean of the UNIC Law School, the second session runs from 11:40 to 13:00:
- Nikos Koumoutzis, Associate Professor at the University of Nicosia (UNIC Athens), will discuss the adoption of a spouse's or partner's child by same-sex couples under the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Alina Tryfonidou, Assistant Professor at the University of Cyprus, will present the EU law perspective on parenthood and same-sex couples.
The conference closes with a final discussion from 12:40 to 13:00.
How to take part
The event is open to the public and takes place at the UNESCO Amphitheatre, University of Nicosia, on Saturday, 5 September, from 9:00 to 13:00. Those wishing to attend can register or request further information by phone on 22 841611 or by email at schooloflaw@unic.ac.cy.
