Yerevan:Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Christos Senekis, emphasized the necessity for immediate and coordinated international efforts to protect biodiversity and address water scarcity and climate change impacts. He voiced these concerns at the "Leaders for Nature" Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, where he represented President Nikos Christodoulides.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the Summit saw participation from heads of state, government leaders, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, EU and international organization representatives, and other high-ranking officials. The event was a precursor to COP17 on biodiversity, scheduled in Yerevan from October 19 to 30. Senekis highlighted the unique challenges faced by Cyprus as a Mediterranean island, such as climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, forest fires, and pressures on coastal and marine ecosystems.

Senekis argued that nature conservation is crucial for water security, climate change resilience, and societal well-being. He called for comprehensive policies in agriculture, water management, tourism, infrastructure, and investment, stressing the need for mobilizing public and private financial resources and community participation. Emphasizing international commitments, he urged for the acceleration of biodiversity goals by 2030, translating them into tangible actions and measurable results.

On the summit's sidelines, Senekis engaged in bilateral meetings to enhance cooperation in areas crucial for Cyprus. He discussed water resource management with UAE Minister Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, expressing gratitude for the UAE's support through mobile desalination units. They explored further cooperation in desalination, water reuse, smart irrigation, and agricultural research.

Additionally, they discussed a UAE-led regional cooperation initiative on water scarcity, ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. Senekis also addressed the protection of Cypriot halloumi cheese in the UAE market.

In a meeting with Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, they talked about boosting cooperation in agriculture, smart farming, and trade of agricultural products, considering a Joint Working Group and Action Plan. Discussions with the Armenian Minister of Environment focused on environmental cooperation and existing frameworks.

Cyprus' participation in the Summit and these bilateral engagements are part of broader efforts to enhance international cooperation on environmental challenges, particularly in biodiversity protection, agricultural resilience, and sustainable water management, as noted by a press release from the Ministry.