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- Ελληνικά
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
The 66th World Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA/CPA) hosted in Accra, Ghana, was officially opened today with the participation of Cypriot MPs Mr. Aristos Damianou (leader), Ms Savia Orphanidou and Mr Christos Orphanides. The opening ceremony was addressed by the President of the Republic of Ghana Mr. Nana Addo Akufo - Addo and was greeted by, among others, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Association Mr. Ian Liddell - Grainger and the Secretary General Mr. Stephen Twigg.
During her intervention in a discussion on the role of the Commonwealth in ensuring international security and peace, Ms. Orphanidou highlighted the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in conflict resolution and in addressing the challenges faced by developing countries in particular. He referred to the phenomenon of migration, stressing that understanding its root causes is vital to effectively address its wider implications for security and peace, as well as to promote stability in both countries of origin and host countries. Orphanidou noted that Turkey's invasion and continuous occupation of a third of the Republic of Cyprus' territory for almost half a century makes the Cyprus problem one of the longest-standing violations of human rights and international law in the Commonwealth. The international community must offer targeted assistance to countries facing conflict in terms of conflict prevention, recovery and socio-economic development, while helping to address the root causes, the Cypriot MEP continued. She concluded by noting the need for the active participation of the younger generation in this direction, especially as 60% of the population in the 56 member states of the Commonwealth is under 30 years old.
Earlier today, Ms Orphanidou chaired a thematic workshop on the issue of women's quotas in parliaments, as an incentive for the active involvement of more women in politics, thus addressing their under-representation in decision-making centres.
In the context of a debate on environmental approaches to address energy poverty, MEP Orphanides presented views on the lack of access to energy and dependence on fossil fuels, which have serious implications and should be considered not only as socio-economic issues, but also as a major threat to the environment. Further, the usefulness of the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026, which includes initiatives for access to affordable, safe and reliable energy consumption and the enhancement of renewable energy sources, with the aim of transitioning to a climate-neutral economy, was further noted in this direction.
At yesterday's regular meeting of the British Isles and Mediterranean Region (BIMR), within the framework of the World Conference, the change of the Association's legal status was discussed, among other things, as well as the next Regional Conference to be held in May 2024 on St. Helena Island.
Today's proceedings are expected to continue until late afternoon, with the participation of the head of the Cypriot delegation, MP Damianos, in a discussion on the role of the Commonwealth Charter in the protection of human rights, as well as in the debate on the constitutional principle of the separation of powers.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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