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It is a great satisfaction for all of us every time we complete a project that offers rich colours from the palette of nature in the urban environment where we live. It is therefore with great pleasure that I am here today to inaugurate this original park, which adorns the city of Limassol, creating a welcoming green haven for our citizens.
First of all, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all those who contributed to the redevelopment of this area. Your efforts are crucial for the upgrading of the area, but also for the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens of the city of Limassol, especially the residents of the wider Zacakiou area, who have taken the lead in creating this excellent park.
The contribution of urban parks to the daily life of citizens certainly offers access to forms of recreation, relaxation, sport, social interaction and environmental education. Every time we open the door to a green oasis in our cities, it is a reminder of the need to regenerate spaces with even more greenery, enhancing the prospect of a more sustainable and healthy society.
Dear Friends,
We need to create greener cities on the one hand and preserve the existing green capital of our country on the other. Unfortunately, climate change, arid soil and the current drought are sounding the alarm for forests and natural ecosystems, seriously threatening their balance.
Human activity, while certainly giving growth and progress to local communities, is severely damaging biodiversity and natural ecosystems. In order to address these challenges, collective action and cooperation is required from all levels of society, from governmental authorities and non-governmental organisations to ordinary citizens. Each of us has a role to play.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The government of Nicos Christodoulides, through its Governance Programme, is promoting policies that strengthen the protection and development of sustainable communities.
As announced by the Prime Minister himself, in 2024 the institution of "Green Communities" will be launched, which we are promoting together with other relevant ministries and the Presidency. It is important to mention that the green community is not limited to energy independence, but requires a series of measures and investments in infrastructure related to renewable energy sources, the reduction of waste production, holistic waste management, the construction of sewage and storm water drainage networks, the application of water saving technologies, the creation and maintenance of green spaces and many others. Limassol is one of the first cities to implement this system, which is important because it will cover a sufficient percentage of Cyprus together with other municipalities, contributing to the achievement of widespread implementation of the System.
At this stage our Ministry has launched a public information and awareness campaign, which will be intensified in the next period to be completed by the end of 2026, through which the public will be informed about the benefits of this system, the process of sorting at source and separate collection. The point of production is the home of each of us, our workplace, our businesses and therefore the aim is to involve each and every one of us so that collectively we can reduce the waste residues going to landfill, increase reuse, recycling and composting, thus achieving the reduction of pollution of the soil, the air, the environment we live in.
One of the objectives is to reach 40% of all municipal waste generated concerning organic waste to 60% by separate collection. Another important target is that of recycling and separate collection to 55% by 2025, 60% in 2030 and 65% in 2035.
In this measure, therefore, Local Authorities have an important role to play, which will receive funding, with the support of the EU Cohesion Policy programme "THALIA 2021-2027". The Environment Department of our Ministry, which coordinates the PDO scheme, is working closely with the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Union of Cyprus Communities, as well as the Coordinators of Municipalities and Community Clusters for the implementation of this measure.
Dear all,
As a Ministry and Government, we have set as our primary goal sustainable waste management, environmental awareness and education, as well as the improvement of the urban environment through targeted actions. We are implementing policies and actions that will enhance the capacity of local communities to manage their environmental resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, promoting quality of life for all of us.
Behind the concrete of cities, the aim is to slowly unfold a green web of life that will breathe life into our daily lives. Every park, every green corner we inaugurate is not just an addition to the city map, but a step towards reconnecting us with nature.
It is for this reason that, in conclusion, I would like to congratulate once again the Mayor, the members of the City Council, the competent state agencies and all those who contributed to the completion of the project, which achieves the goals of the green economy, "Park on Gogen Street - Landscaping and construction of a public park in the Western Districts of Limassol", which is precisely a step towards a healthier and more beautiful city, with prospects for a more sustainable future for future generations.
(EΦys)
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