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Larnaca: The “Sustainable Development of Coastal Areas” event was held

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Λαρνακα: Πραγ ματοποιorθηκε η εκδorλωση «Βισιμ η Αναπτυξη Παρακτιων Περιοχων»

The event “The Sustainable Development of Coastal Areas” took place today, November 18. in Larnaca.

The organizers of the event were the Cyprus Institute for the Sea and Shipping, the Europe Direct Center of the Municipality of Larnaca and the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus.

The aim of the event was to inform about the European and national policies that promote the sustainable development of coastal areas as well as the analysis of the challenges faced by these areas. The relevant actions that are already taking place in Cyprus were presented, but further actions that should be implemented were also discussed. The conference was attended by bodies from the European and national public administration, as well as representatives of the industrial and research community and civil society.

The day was greeted by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr. Kostas Kadis, the Mayor of Larnaca, Mr. Andreas Vyras and the Head of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Kettis. Speakers at the event were the MEP Mr. Dimitris Papadakis, the Managing Director of the Cyprus Institute for the Sea and Shipping, Ms. Zacharias Siokouros, the Director of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ms. Marina Argyrou and the Commissioner for the Environment, Ms. Clelia Vassiliou.< /p>

Λαρνακα: Πραγμα ;τοποιorθηκε η εκδorλωση «Βιoσιμη &Alpha

Mr. Kadis referred to the integrated environmental policy implemented by the government, which is harmonized with the relevant European legislation. He emphasized that "maintaining the good ecological and environmental condition of the marine and coastal environment of Cyprus is a priority for the Government. In this direction, the utilization of scientific knowledge about biodiversity and the ecological processes that characterize the marine and coastal ecosystem, as well as the factors that influence it, is considered important. Raising the awareness of civil society, and especially young people, will contribute significantly to effectively addressing the challenges that coastal areas face.

Mr. Vyras emphasized that “the Municipality of Larnaca, committed to sectors that seek sustainable development and recognizing the city's comparative advantages, seeks blue growth in sectors such as transport, tourism, education, innovation, new professions, new businesses and more.» In this context, the Cyprus Institute for the Sea and Shipping, which is based in Larnaca, has an important role to play, and the vision of the Municipality is to "make our city a European research and educational hub for the sustainable blue economy."

Mr. Kettis underlined the important role that the European Parliament assigns to the Development of the Blue Economy "which, through its resolutions, attempts to improve or even regulate individual sectors". In addition, he pointed out the need to promote the use of renewable energy sources, especially wind and ocean energy, a sector in which the EU is a pioneer, and in which Cyprus should also be active. In closing, he emphasized that "Cyprus stands to gain from such a strategic investment, the investment in Blue Development that will bring multiple economic, social, ecological and political benefits."

Mr. Papadakis emphasized the importance of the Blue Economy for Cyprus, which is an island state par excellence. Sectors such as tourism, shipping and fish farming which functions in addition to fishing form the backbone of the national economy. In addition, he referred to the priorities of the European Green Deal and the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy which set ambitious environmental goals to preserve biodiversity and tackle pollution especially from  plastic. He underlined that Cyprus "should place greater emphasis on exploiting the potential of renewable energy sources and that the state should support such initiatives". Finally, he pointed out that "Cyprus can be a model state and model for the entire region in the implementation of European policies related to the Blue Economy."

Mr. Siokouros emphasized the role of research and innovation in the sustainable development of coastal areas as they contribute to finding green and smart solutions to the environmental and socio-economic challenges these areas face. He went on to state that the Cyprus Institute for Research and Shipping through a series of innovative projects and actions in the context of which it develops and uses new technologies and promotes applied research aims to highlight and exploit the potential of the Blue Economy which is its backbone economy for coastal areas and especially for an island state like Cyprus. To achieve this, the Institute collaborates with various bodies – private and public – at local, national and European level, contributing to the diagnosis and addressing their needs, to the transfer of know-how, to the development and implementation of innovative and environmentally friendly solutions and to development of human resources skills.

Ms. Argyrou emphasized the importance of the Mediterranean Sea for biodiversity. He described the marine and coastal environment of Cyprus and the role it plays in maintaining Cyprus' marine biodiversity. He also presented the national legislation for the protection of marine species, which is harmonized with the European one, while he pointed out an important tool implemented by the Department of Fisheries for the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity, the creation and management of marine protected areas. In closing Ms. Argyrou stated that «it is important to know the wealth under the sea  and protect him. Knowledge is important as it guides individual and collective action, so the state should invest in education. The protection of the marine environment is the responsibility and right of all of us.

Λαρνακα: Πραγμα ;τοποιorθηκε η εκδorλωση «Βιoσιμη &Alpha

Mrs. Clelia Vassiliou in her speech underlined that "we are called to balance on a particularly sensitive line between the man-made environment and the natural world in an effort to co-exist". He went on to acknowledge that "in recent years we have corrected many of the bad words on environmental issues. We have made leaps and bounds in terms of marine biodiversity, oil spill pollution management. However, we still have a long way to go. He pointed out that “joint and coordinated efforts, action plans, crisis response and management scenarios are deemed necessary for the protection of marine species and habitats.” In addition, the strict application of national and European legislation and the realization of relevant controls is necessary, but much more the education of citizens and organized groups. Concluding her speech, she emphasized that “natural resources are not inexhaustible and we base the future of humanity on them.” It is important to invest in the reuse of resources. The circular economy seems to be our only path to the future.

Source: www.sigmalive.com

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