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It is with great pleasure that I participate in tonight's event for the inauguration of this important Urban Sustainability Hub. Sharing feelings of hope and optimism for the future development of our cities and our country in general, I am particularly pleased when we inaugurate such innovative projects as a result of partnerships, where the contribution of academic and scientific institutions of our country, of which we are very proud as a state, play a catalytic role in the implementation of an innovative model of development in our country, which positively changes the character of our municipalities.
I believe that this hub has already succeeded. And I say this because it is one of the few events I attend where the majority of those present are young people. And I'm very happy to see so many people and so many tonight with us, this is the first great success of the hub. As a state we don't have heavy industry, we have the consulting services, we have a model economy but one that needs to be adapted to today's conditions and on the other hand we need to expand production based on our economy. These are very specific areas that we as a state need to invest in. Research and innovation are primary areas in which we must invest, taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by the European Union, because there are indeed many opportunities there. I say this because, apart from the need to expand the productivity of our economy, the most important advantage of the country is its human resources and if we do not exploit our human resources, they will go to other countries, to Europe, to America, where the opportunities, if we do not offer them, are much greater.
I would like to make a comment on what the Rector of the University mentioned. There is one area where we need to do more work. And I refer to the commercialisation of research and innovation. We as a state need to help this research and innovation that is produced in our country to go to other countries. It's one of the objectives that we have as part of our economic diplomacy. I remember when I was serving in the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union in Brussels, most countries had offices within their Permanent Representations to promote, on the one hand, the successful expression of interest in European programmes by young people or companies in their country and, on the other hand, to help commercialise the research that was being produced. So, it is an area where I think we need to do more.
The last time I was in Israel without war we were talking to the Prime Minister of Israel and he told me that they had developed a Diaspora initiative - they have a large diaspora particularly in the US - to attract funding for start-ups, for research and innovation, what they brought in from abroad would come in and the state would give so much more to help in that area. So, we have to learn either from Israel or from other neighbouring states in this effort to have a strategy to implement. Your input is crucial and is one of the many reasons I chose to be here tonight to send this message of readiness on our part to work. We must not stop at words, we must move on to concrete actions and deeds, using the most important advantage of this country, which is its human potential
The creation of the Urban Sustainability Hub that we are launching tonight is the result of participation in the U-SOLVE Project, which was funded by the European Transnational Cooperation Programme "ENI MED 2014-2020" with a total funding of 3.3 million euros and in which, together with Cyprus, five other Mediterranean countries are participating.
As I mentioned before, the project demonstrates in practice what collective effort, collective work, as well as the will of the state through the competent bodies and the municipalities and communities of our country can bring to transform our cities and communities into green, sustainable and environmentally friendly cities and communities.
Last week I was in the United Arab Emirates for COP28, the largest summit held on climate change. Climate change is here. Still some of us in Cyprus, more the older generation, think it is not a concern for us and it is something that will be a concern for future generations. But the effects of climate change are here, we are experiencing them every day. This is another reason why the hub we are launching tonight is important.
On the occasion of my presence here today, let me also stress that the wider contribution of our country's academic and research institutions, at every level, is without a doubt highly beneficial and constructive for Cyprus and I really want to thank you for the timelessly important role you play in the progress and development of our country. We are here to support, we have recently had meetings and certainly more can be done, but it is important to move in a strategic way, not to try to have the state come and fire-fight to solve problems but to proactively move together through cooperation.
So with the participation of the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus Institute, a real point of joining forces of citizens, who will now be able to actively participate in shaping a model of urban sustainability, has been completed and is being inaugurated tonight.
With the participation of the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus Institute, a real point of joining forces of citizens, who will now be able to actively participate in shaping a model of urban sustainability, has been completed and is being inaugurated tonight. The Mayor and the City Council are to be congratulated, an example that I believe will be followed by other municipalities and other communities. This hub gives the opportunity to residents and businesses in the area, to everyone without any exclusion, to participate in this effort.
It was rightly said earlier by the representative of PWC that among the objectives of the project is the creation of an urban development model based on innovative entrepreneurship and the green economy in order to "build" sustainable and habitable cities, which do not operate at the expense of the environment and which can cope with the negative effects of climate change.
It was rightly said earlier by the representative of PWC that among the objectives of the project is the creation of an urban development model based on innovative entrepreneurship and the green economy in order to "build" sustainable and habitable cities, which do not operate at the expense of the environment and which can cope with the negative effects of climate change. Moreover, the modern political concept in the European area, and not only, requires a new practical dimension, that of transferring responsibility to the citizen, the most beneficial social element, because the more responsibility we transfer to the citizen, among many other things, the more active, aware and beneficial he or she becomes in terms of the common good.
With their know-how, their ideas and their experience, each one of us will be able to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and viable city. This hub is therefore an excellent opportunity for exchanging views, networking and creating a culture of sustainability, as well as a point for solving important environmental and social challenges.
I firmly believe that this initiative will be a shining example to be followed by other municipalities and communities.
Cyprus wants - important steps have been taken and many efforts have been rolled out - to make the green and digital transition a reality and you know very well that there are many opportunities through the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Fund, many opportunities for our country.
Let me announce to you tonight that before the end of 2023 - we have completed the prerequisites for the second tranche that we are entitled to through the Recovery and Resilience Fund - we are trying, we still have some days to complete the prerequisites with the cooperation of the Parliament for the third tranche, so that we can appeal to the European Union. I approach the recovery and resilience plan as a - and do not look at it in a negative way - a memorandum, an economic programme that we should implement, not because the European Union imposes it on us, but for the good of our country, to take advantage of all these opportunities that the European Union gives us, and at the same time to achieve the green and digital transition.
The implementation of urban sustainable development therefore requires the cooperation of all of us, the Government, academic institutions, businesses, civil society, local government, in order to ensure a sustainable and healthy future that reflects our efforts to achieve a balance between society, economy and environmental aspects of development, with innovation and digital reform as our tools.
In conclusion, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all those who have worked for the success of this project. The Mayor, the Strovolos City Council, the University of Cyprus, the Institute of Cyprus. Now it is the time for all of you, our young people and not only, it is the time for citizens to actively participate and become protagonists in the effort for the green and digital transition of our country.
(PM/AF/NZ)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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