It is with great pleasure that I am with you today, in one of the largest green lungs of our Cyprus, to celebrate this year's International Forest Day. Every year on 21 March, United Nations member countries honour forests with events that encourage people of all ages to get closer to the forest and learn about its value, both for the environment and biodiversity and for human health.
With this year's motto, the World Food Organization links forests to human health in an effort to highlight the direct connection and dependence of humans on forests and nature.
With this year's motto, the World Food Organization links forests to human health in an effort to highlight the direct connection and dependence of humans on forests and nature. The slogan "Healthy Forests - Healthy People" highlights the contribution of forests to people and their health, while stressing the need to protect them from any danger that threatens them.
In addition to the benefits that forests offer to people's well-being, it is important to mention their great contribution to the supply of raw materials to the pharmaceutical industry.
In addition to the benefits that forests offer to people's well-being, it is important to mention their great contribution to the supply of raw materials to the pharmaceutical industry. As an example, ¼ of modern medicines are derived from rainforest plants, and it is noteworthy that 2/3 of the medicines made from forest-derived raw materials are used in the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer.
Forest ecosystems are the backbone of the natural environment, contributing to the environmental, social, cultural and economic development of a society.
Forest ecosystems are the backbone of the natural environment, contributing to the environmental, social, cultural and economic development of a society. They are a source of energy and health, providing clean water and sequestering carbon dioxide, thus helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. At the same time, as a refuge for 80% of plant and animal species, they help to preserve biodiversity.
Hence the protection and sustainable development of forests is essential for every modern State. Protecting them from risks such as fires is at the heart of every government's policy. The Christodoulides Government is also focusing its attention in this direction. Given that the protection of fires concerns everyone, and given the personal interest of the President of the Republic himself, all the relevant Ministries and Services have already begun coordination actions in order to be ready in time to deal effectively and in their early stages with forest fires that may be caused in the run-up to the summer season. The aim is to draw up an effective road map early on, with a clear division of responsibilities between the actors involved, so that we can strengthen the fire prevention sector, making maximum use of national resources, as well as European mechanisms and regional cooperation.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment supports the work of the Forestry Department in order to strengthen it and to ensure the rational and sustainable management of our unique natural wealth, our forests. Our aim is to upgrade the Department and maintain it at a high level of readiness to respond to forest fires. I would like to congratulate and thank the Director and staff of the Forestry Department for the professionalism they demonstrate in their ongoing efforts to protect the forests.
The theme of this year's International Forestry Day reminds us of the great value of the natural environment in improving the mental and physical health of people. We have a duty individually and collectively to protect our forests, helping to ensure their continued sustainability for ourselves and future generations. Thank you.
(NKY)
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