UNECE Executive Secretary hopes that by next Conference our world will be greener, cleaner, more just and more peaceful than now

Olga Algayerova, the Executive Secretary of the UNECE praised all participants of the 9th Environment for Europe (EfE) Ministerial Conference in Nicosia for their insightful remarks and their strong contribution, and hoped that by next EfE in five years, our world will be greener, cleaner, more just, and more peaceful than it is now.

Algayerova delivered her closing remarks during the last session of the Conference which concluded Friday in Cyprus’ divided capital and gathered together 71 Ministers and Deputy Ministers from 65 countries and approximately 1,000 participants in what was described as the biggest event Cyprus ever hosted.

She said that in three days the Filoxenia Center has held not one but four high-level meetings and in these days a huge amount of content has been packed.

Algayerova hailed the ministers and delegations because they recognized, among others, the seriousness of the challenges facing our planet and our region and the need for a joint and coordinated response and the fact that greening the economy is of critical importance for the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals, and agreed on shared approaches to greening of infrastructure development and tourism sectors.

She also emphasized the fact that they reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening and scaling up education for sustainable development by adopting the Nicosia Ministerial Statement on Education for Sustainable Development, including the Framework for Implementation of the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development from 2021 to 2030.

UNECE ES also said that Nicosia is a success, and underlined that our delegates now know by heart what “Filoxenia” means – both as a word and as an action.

Cyprus Agriculture and Environment Minister Costas Kadis said that we strongly support the reference made towards the unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine by Russian Federation and we urge countries to work together for the advancement of a sustainable recovery of the country.

Cyprus, he noted, is committed to capitalize on the results of this Conference and stresses out the important role of the Environment for Europe process bringing together all stakeholders for a sustainable future.

Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said that Nicosia Declaration can be seen as a moment of celebration and joy but also comes along with huge responsibilities.

He hoped the results of the Conference to be adopted and introduced in policies and strategies with the aim to fulfill the goals for sustainable development.