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Dear Mrs.Deputy Minister of Culture,
Dear Mr.President of ETEK,
Dear Mr.President of ICOMOS Cyprus,
Distinguished speakers at the Workshop
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure that I have accepted to introduce this Workshop co-organized by ETEK and ICOMOS Cyprus in collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Monuments and Traditional Buildings of ETEK under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Culture. As Vice President of ICOMOS, member of ETEC and member of the Monuments Committee, with many years of close cooperation, I continue to support and in my new capacity as Commissioner for the Environment, any action aimed at protecting the environment, natural and built heritage, the harmony between nature and human activity, and in general any action for the benefit of all of us, society and the planet.
For the theme of today's Workshop, which concerns the use of mortars in the protection and restoration of traditional buildings and monuments, I will report very briefly - looking forward to listening with great interest to the contributions that will follow from the distinguished academics and experts. Traditional buildings and monuments, when authentically restored, stand not only as physical structures but as living testimonies to a rich historical and cultural past. The use of appropriate mortars goes beyond the technical aspects of construction. It requires a deep understanding of traditional building practices, available materials and the characteristics of the local environment, and is a conscious effort to preserve the island's traditional architectural treasure as well as a practical contribution to the preservation of cultural continuity and timelessness. In addition to the above, however, I will emphasize and make every effort to make recommendations on environment-related issues and adjustments to existing policy and legislation and to submit opinions on amending laws or adopting new ones where I believe there are gaps and room for improvement in the relevant legislation.
In his speech on the annual Governance Planning for 2024, the President of the Republic referred to certain pillars and policies related to the environment, such as green taxation, green transition and the implementation of the institution of the "Green Community", with the aim that, within 2024, communities and/or clusters of communities, with the contribution of the state, become not only energy independent but also serve other environmental objectives.
The above announcements are of course part of the Green Transition and the implementation of Europe's development strategy through the European Green Deal. This Agreement is a consequence of climate change and environmental degradation which are a threat to the existence of the world.
The implementation of the "Green Community" and the promotion of natural building standards and techniques are also at the heart of my strategy as Environment Commissioner to create "Climate Neutral Communities". I will seek to contribute to the maximum potential of the Commissioner's Office, through programmes and in cooperation with Agencies and Institutions, to the design of the necessary procedures in the central and local administrations to be created in the context of the reform of local government, and to the creation of the coordination structures required for the implementation of green policies.
In the exercise of my responsibilities, my office, and the Office of the Environment Commissioner in general, will always be open for meetings Some of these changes, some of the corrective actions that need to be taken, I am aware of them as Commissioner, others probably not. That is why I am at your disposal and I also rely on your contribution to this work that I have to do.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that the Environment Commissioner's Office has already initiated actions in the field of implementation of the Aarhus Convention, a Convention on access to information, effective public participation in decision-making and citizens' access to justice in environmental matters. A Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention will be in Cyprus next week for information, awareness raising and capacity building purposes in Cypriot society. The Office of the Commissioner, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the Department of Environment and the Cyprus Federation of Environmental Organisations, are organising face-to-face contacts on 6 and 7 February 2024 with the Special Rapporteur, in which ICOMOS Cyprus will participate, as well as an open Information Conference to be held on 8 February 2024 in which ETEC and ICOMOS Cyprus will participate.
I would like to stress that your participation and presence in these meetings is very important, since the role of all of us is directly or indirectly related to environmental issues, which of course also touch on cultural issues. The ultimate goal, both for me personally and for the Office of the Environment Commissioner, is to strengthen and create synergies between the competent authorities, the judiciary, the academic community and civil society, always for the benefit of the environment and for the well-being of society.
Good luck in the proceedings of the Workshop.
Thank you.
(ASP)
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