President's Statement on the World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Dear colleagues,
The World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is commemorated on 21 March each year, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 following the tragic events of 21 March 1960 in South Africa, when dozens died and hundreds were injured by police fire during a peaceful anti-Apartheid student demonstration, shocking public opinion.
Some six decades later and while in many countries racist laws and practices have been abolished with the almost universal ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, some of our fellow human beings still bear the stigma of racial discrimination and intolerance.
Every day we witness racist acts and attitudes, toxic hate speech and violation of the basic principles of equality, which make it imperative to take measures to revise prejudices, privileges and worldviews, but above all the need for action.
As part of the Work Programme for 2022, the European Commission announced the Action Plan for a people-centred, digitally empowered Europe by 2030, which shapes the pillar of social rights and proposes a set of social objectives endorsed by EU leaders and leaders at the Porto Social Summit in May 2021. Within the framework of strengthening the fight against racism and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, the European Commission's initiative in December 2021 to extend the European "list of crimes" to include hate speech and hate crimes based on criteria set out in the EU Treaties, providing Member States with the legal basis to combat all forms of discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, if We take part in the fight against racial discrimination, sexism and racist violence, while contributing to the realisation of the European vision of justice, equality and freedom by actively promoting equality and human dignity. As the House of Representatives, we recognise our duty to enact legislation to curb all forms of racism and discrimination and we call on all stakeholders and all citizens to take joint action to consolidate the commitment to values such as humanism, social cohesion and the peaceful coexistence of individuals.
President's statement on Mediterranean Day
21 March was established as Mediterranean Day by decision of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly in 2008.
As a founding member of the Assembly, the House of Representatives commemorates the Day, which this year is dedicated to the role of parliaments in protecting the planet and the Mediterranean region. Protecting the environment, tackling the climate crisis and achieving sustainability are among the thematic priorities of both the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly and the House of Representatives.
The Mediterranean, home to rich biodiversity and priceless ecosystems, is particularly affected by climate change, but also by pollution on land and at sea, with dire consequences for local communities. With temperatures rising at a rate 20% faster than the global average and sea levels projected to rise more than one metre by 2100, the Mediterranean will be the fastest warming and saltiest sea on our planet. Many areas of the Mediterranean are frequently affected by drought, floods, fires, lack of drinking water and other extreme weather events, which threaten not only the physical but also the economic survival of local populations.
The House of Representatives, recognising the criticality of the times and prioritising the mitigation of climate change, is determined to contribute to achieving the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. In this context, it is promoting the necessary legislation aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency, as well as harnessing new technologies for environmentally sustainable development.
This year's celebrations of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly for Mediterranean Day 2022 included a drawing competition among primary school pupils on the theme "The role of parliaments in protecting the planet and the Mediterranean region". Pupils from primary schools in Cyprus also participated in the competition, who elaborately illustrated their ideas for the protection of the planet, unfolding their creativity with obvious enthusiasm and love.
The goal of all of us should be to protect the unique natural wealth of the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean must become a place of environmental security, ecological awareness, sustainable development and social progress, as a key prerequisite in our efforts to achieve peace and stability in our very sensitive region.
President's Statement on World Water Day
22 March has been designated by the United Nations as World Water Day, a basic good to which access must be universal and non-discriminatory. Given the global water crisis, the UN, wishing to raise awareness among all states to take action on water-related issues, has made the sustainable management of water resources central to the European Green Deal and its Sustainable Development Goals.
Water has enormous and multidimensional value in all areas of human activity and therefore access to it constitutes a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for protection against infectious diseases, which see The pandemic period has clearly demonstrated that water is an essential ally of humanity to protect it from the transmission of coronavirus. Nevertheless, millions of people worldwide are denied access to clean water with a tragic impact on their living conditions, dignity and health.
The theme of this year's World Water Day is groundwater, an immeasurably important resource, but one that is often overlooked as it is out of sight. The role of groundwater is vital for crops, industry and the economy, so its protection is essential to prevent the effects of climate change and to maintain the balance of ecosystems and, by extension, human civilisation.
As the House of Representatives, we underline the need for the continuous cultivation of water awareness, but also for the development of a policy for the control and protection of groundwater based on all relevant European Union Directives, in order to safeguard life on our planet.
On the occasion of the 16th Annual General Assembly of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, which took place on 9 and 10 March 2022, in Dubai, the Assembly, through the institution of its annual awards, honoured outstanding personalities and organisations whose actions contribute to the promotion of the aims and objectives of the Assembly and to cooperation between the peoples of the Mediterranean.
It is a great pleasure and honour for me to announce today and before the Assembly that the Karaiskakio Foundation, whose nomination was proposed by the House of Representatives, is among the Assembly's laureates. The award to the Karaiskakio Foundation is a sign of recognition by the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly of the Foundation's multifaceted work, both within and outside Cyprus, and its role as a bridge between the peoples of the region.
Through its excellent scientific and social work and its rich activity in the field of research and innovation, the Karaiskakio Foundation goes beyond the borders of (small) Cyprus, making us proud of its overall contribution in the field of science, but also of its invaluable contribution and solidarity with Cypriot society.
I take this opportunity to express, once again, my sincere congratulations to the Board of Directors and all the staff of the Foundation for the wonderful work they are doing.
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