On the occasion of World Environment Day, June 5, the President of the Republic, HE Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, chaired a meeting to evaluate Cyprus’ next steps in combating the effects of climate change for Cyprus and the region.

At the meeting, the President of the Republic set out the guidelines for Cyprus to take on an international initiative and to assume a coordinating role in the efforts by the countries in our region to tackle climate change and its impacts for the Mediterranean. All competent authorities will promote this initiative in order to step up cooperation with neighboring countries and to reserve for Cyprus a coordinating role in curbing climate change and mitigating its consequences for our region.

The initiative closely follows the results from the successful 2018 Climate Change International Conference that CyI recently organized on this subject, with the participation of over 300 delegates from 35 countries.

These efforts are under way on the basis of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement, the first universal and legally binding agreement on climate change, ratified by the European Union in 2016. This agreement is a joint action plan to curb warming below two degrees (2 ° C) in the period after 2020.

“We believe that the international community needs to remain committed in implementing this agreement, because only through collective action on international level we are able to tackle its adverse effects” the President underlined.

He added that the government of Cyprus will undertake its share of responsibility within the framework of global cooperation, and will respond with a comprehensive national plan on climate change, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The President also noted the initiatives promoted by The Cyprus Institute in this area, which have led to the creation of an international scientific network, thereby transforming an academic institute such as CyI into a hub for cooperation.

“A lot has been done by our country in this area”, he continued.  “By developing relevant research, The Cyprus Institute takes initiatives and has created a remarkable international scientific network becoming the focus of collaborations. Cyprus is chairing the United Nations Special Commission on Education and Awareness on Sustainable Development. The Ministry of Rural Development and the Environment, through the implementation of the national plan submitted by our country under the Paris Agreement, also promotes important programs within the EU.”

The meeting also highlighted the continued and intensified efforts to foster environmental awareness and educate future generations through specific programs and actions both in schools and in society.

The Minister of Energy, the Government Spokesman, the Environment Commissioner, the President of The Cyprus Institute, the Director of the Department of the Environment, a representative of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, and the Coordinator of Environmental Education at the Ministry of Education, attended the meeting.

(Picture Credit: PIO)