Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the LIFE IP CYzeroWASTE project entitled "Smart monitoring and efficient waste reduction on the island of Cyprus", which is the second large, integrated and ambitious project won by Cyprus during the thirty years of the LIFE Programme. It is a project that is expected to contribute decisively to the implementation of the objectives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment for environmental protection, particularly in relation to sustainable waste recovery and management. The basic philosophy of our effort is to reverse the perception that waste is a problem and to consolidate the basic principle that it can be used as a resource in the context of the circular economy.
The rational management of municipal waste in our country is one of the biggest challenges for our Ministry and for the Government in general. We have already formulated the Municipal Waste Management Strategy and the National Waste Generation Prevention Programme 2021-2027. Promoting the implementation of source separation and separate collection, waste reduction measures in all economic sectors, providing incentives to local governments to implement Pay As I Spend schemes, as well as information and awareness-raising measures, are just some of the actions included in the Strategy. In addition, through the Strategy, further improvement of the institutional framework is sought, by implementing regulations to define the obligations of local authorities and providing incentives for citizens to sort their waste for reuse and recycling.
The integrated LIFE IP CYzeroWaste Project, whose kick-off meeting takes place today, adopts a holistic approach to waste management, with the implementation of specific actions and the achievement of defined targets, within the ten-year period The actions of this very important project are expected to be widely implemented, both by the State and by local authorities and citizens themselves, using resources from the Structural Funds and the Recovery and Resilience Fund. At this point, I would like to thank and congratulate all the partners and contributors of the project, the Department of Environment which has the role of coordinator, Metsovio Polytechnic University which will support the project with its expertise and know-how, the ten large municipalities (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Paralimni, Ayia Napa, Aglandzia, Aradippou, Polis Chrysochous and Geroskipou) that will implement the proposed rational waste management projects, the five Development Companies (Nicosia, Limassol, Limassol, Larnaca - Famagusta, Paphos and Troodos) that will support the local authorities in this project, the Agricultural Research Institute that will assist with its expertise in the rational management of organic waste and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry that will contribute to the implementation of the project as the representative of the recycling sector in the private sector. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment will closely and systematically monitor the development of the project and will provide all possible assistance and support for its full and successful implementation.
In conclusion, I wish good luck to all partners and stakeholders of the project and express my optimism that the diligence and full cooperation of all will be key ingredients for accelerating and upgrading the envisaged actions in order to realize the vision for a circular economy.
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