Larnaca: Cyprus has relaunched the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative, aiming to develop synergies to mitigate the impact of climate change with a focus on cross-border projects, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides said on Thursday. Addressing the Nicosia Risk Forum, taking place in Larnaca with the participation of several countries and international organisations, entitled “Enhancing Resilience to Disasters in the Mediterranean Region,” he said that “climate change is moving with unprecedented speed” as “we are reaching the worst climate projections much faster than anticipated.”
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President remarked that the recent COP 29 in Baku, where he had the opportunity to present Cyprus’ position, “was a step towards a positive direction, but there is much more to do.” He emphasized that extreme weather events are impacting ecosystems, economies, including agriculture and tourism, and communities. These events serve as a stark war
ning and highlight the urgent need for decisive, coordinated action. Immediate, targeted responses are required at both the national and regional levels, he noted.
President Christodoulides reminded that Cyprus has been proactive by implementing a National Adaptation Strategy since 2017 and is currently updating it to strengthen its capacity to manage complex and interlinked climate risks. Despite its small carbon footprint, Cyprus is committed to contributing to global emissions reduction. The Republic of Cyprus firmly supports the efforts of the European Union and the Union for the Mediterranean to promote an agenda that will help the region face the upcoming challenges of climate change.
He expressed his pleasure that the Union for the Mediterranean’s Regional Dialogue Platform on Civil Protection would take place as part of the Risk Forum. Cyprus also has an ambitious plan to reinforce its aerial firefighting capacity by acquiring 10 new aerial means. A technological enforcement programme is underway wi
th the adoption of a ‘next generation 112,’ which will enhance communication with local communities and increase crisis management abilities.
In his address, President Christodoulides underlined the importance of prevention, focusing on fire prevention through a ‘holistic’ system under design. The plan involves designing a second phase that includes installing long-range sensors combined with aerial detection using technology, UAVs, and drones.
He also spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the operation of the Amalthea maritime corridor, highlighting it as a testament to Cyprus’ ability to foster good relations with its neighbors. This operation was formulated with Cyprus’ partners – the EU, UAE, the US, Israel, and several Arab countries. Finally, he referred to the recent MED9 Meeting in Paphos, emphasizing that the Mediterranean region’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters necessitated including climate change on the agenda of discussions between EU member states and the King
of Jordan.