Government and EU officials referred to climate resilience, water infrastructure, and low-emission mobility during the Green Agenda Cyprus Summit, held on Monday in Nicosia. The event brought together policymakers and experts to outline national and European strategies for the green transition.
Speaking at the conference, Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou announced that the new €60 million investment program under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), will further help at decoupling agriculture from weather conditions. The plan could finance news infrastructure and the adoption of new technologies in the primary sector.
As the Minister said, this initiative, along with existing subsidies, can cover up to 50% of infrastructure investments.
She also noted that 30% of the Ministry’s budget is allocated to water-related projects, as part of a long-term, strategic approach. Among the approved measures are €3 million for mobile desalination units—expected to be operational in June with technical support from the UAE and €8 million for reducing water loss in local networks. A new pricing model that reflects the real cost and value of water is also under study.
Panayiotou said that the strategy of the Ministry is built on four pillars: technology, infrastructure, education, and funding. She added that a total of €454 million from the CAP is being leveraged for climate-resilient agriculture, with subsidies of up to 80% for water-saving and innovative investments.
Kadis: The Mediterranean faces challenges, but can become a model for recovery
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The Mediterranean is a region under pressure due to climate change and human activity, but it also holds immense potential for recovery through coordinated action, scientific evidence, and regional cooperation, said EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Kostas Kadis, speaking at the Summit.
Kadis warned that the Mediterranean is now one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. The area is warming more than 20% faster than the global average, with projections reaching up to 180% higher in some scenarios, he said.
“The Mediterranean hosts more than 17,000 marine species, many of which are endemic,” he noted. But he said that rising temperatures, water acidification, and sea level rise are already causing biodiversity loss, invasive species proliferation, and ecosystem disruption.
He cited human pressure from pollution—especially plastics—urban expansion, and habitat degradation as major challenges. According to UN estimates, over 730 tons of plastic waste enter the Mediterranean daily.
Kadis called for coordinated, science-driven action and regional cooperation. He referred to the upcoming launch of the EU Ocean Pact at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting sustainable marine governance and innovation, with special focus on the Mediterranean.
