The Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou, today (24.3.23) represented the Republic of Cyprus at the United Nations Water Conference, which is being held at the UN headquarters in New York from 22 to 24 March.
In his intervention, Mr. He stressed that it is clear to all that a water crisis is approaching, or already exists in various parts of the world and will affect economic development, food security, health, ecosystems, but above all will disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable in society.
He added that these key challenges should be addressed at the global level through more inclusive water governance, with a greater emphasis on human rights. In this context, the Permanent Representative expressed the Republic of Cyprus' full support for the central role played by the UN in addressing water-related challenges around the world and supported the need for the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Water.
He also indicated that the importance of water security and conservation is evident in Cyprus, as water scarcity has always been a major challenge for the country. He added that Cyprus is among the EU Member States with the least available water per capita. At the same time, it is located in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region, an area listed as a Global Climate Change Hot Spot. He pointed out that as a result Cyprus is already experiencing the effects of climate change, with higher average temperatures and lower rainfall than in the past. He indicated that, according to projections, the current situation is projected to worsen with adverse impacts on many sectors, including forest ecosystems, water resources and biodiversity. Therefore, he noted, there is an urgent need and immediate action to preserve the health, well-being of people in the region and the world in general.
Cyprus' water policy, the Permanent Representative said, is guided by EU legislation that provides a framework for sustainable water management and the protection of inland surface, coastal and groundwater. To address the water problem, Cyprus promotes the use of unconventional water resources, such as desalination and water reuse, while pricing with incentives to limit water consumption, which has been in place for many years, contributes to efforts for optimal water use.
He also mentioned that Cyprus, through the European Neighbourhood Policy and the European Union's Enlargement Policy, supports third countries in water management and sanitation, through bilateral assistance programmes or regional Furthermore, the implementation of the goals of the International Decade of Action 2018-2028, as decided by the UN General Assembly, focuses more on sustainable development and integrated water resources management in order to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals.
The Permanent Representative also expressed the need to ensure financial resources for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Priority should be given to funding for the construction, operation and maintenance of robust infrastructure for the provision of water and sanitation services.
Mr. Hadjichrysanthou also referred to the importance of technological innovation to ensure water balance in drought-affected areas through the adoption of effective and climate-resilient water and sanitation management solutions, using unconventional water resources such as desalination and reuse of treated urban wastewater.
In conclusion, Mr. Hadjichrysanthou stressed that the vision of the Cyprus government is a world with access to safe water and safe sanitation systems, as well as a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future for humanity.
(MX)
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