The work of the 17th Annual General Assembly of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (MPA) began yesterday in Rabat, with the participation of MEPs Andreas Pasiourtidis and Rita Theodorou Superman.
In her intervention in a debate on a report by the Committee on Economic, Social and Environmental Cooperation on the impact of climate change and the outcome of COP27, Rita Superman expressed first of all her sorrow and shock at the fatal train accident in Tempe that plunged the whole of Greece and Cyprus into mourning, as well as her sincere condolences to the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, noting Cyprus' practical solidarity with those affected.
Regarding the impact of climate change, Ms. Superman pointed out that the multiple environmental pressures facing the Mediterranean region are forcing thousands of people to flee their countries and migrate, perpetuating poverty, which demonstrates the urgent need for targeted action by the states of the region.
Ms. Superman also noted the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to coordinate the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern States to address the consequences of climate change in the region.
In the framework of this initiative, Ms. Superman explained, a Regional Action Plan has been prepared by an international network of eminent scientists, under the coordination of the Cyprus Institute. The conclusions and recommendations of the WAP should be used by the governments of the countries of the region to address specific challenges resulting from climate change, the Cypriot councillor underlined.
Ms Superman also referred to the Ninth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe", hosted by Cyprus, with the support of UNECE, last October and the adopted "Nicosia Declaration", which reaffirms the commitment of countries to transition to a green economy with sustainable infrastructure at its core and highlights education as a factor for sustainable development.
Finally, Ms Superman stressed the key role of parliaments in strengthening, through legislative work, governmental policies of regional cooperation, as well as in promoting environmental actions.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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