Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou will be in Athens to participate in the 9th International Conference “Our Ocean Conference” (OOC-9), a leading global initiative for the protection and sustainable management of the oceans.
The Ministry has announced that the 16 April Conference will host representatives of more than 120 countries, including Prime Ministers, Presidents, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers with responsibilities related to the environment and oceans, as well as representatives of important international and regional organizations.
The Conference aims to promote cooperation between governments and stakeholders from around the world, to mobilize, highlight perspectives and innovative ideas, as well as make commitments to safeguard the sustainability of the oceans.
The Conference will focus on the commitment of countries to transition to a “Blue Economy”, so as to take advantage of a new balance between economic growth and development, social cohesion and sustainability, as well as to address some key challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, unsustainable fishing, marine pollution, especially from plastics and unsustainable maritime transport.
The Minister’s participation in the Conference is part of the broader effort of the Republic of Cyprus to promote sustainability and protect marine areas for future generations, the Ministry says.
During the Conference, the Minister will participate in discussions covering issues such as ocean security, the green transition in the shipping sector and the management of marine pollution. She will make an intervention on the issue of sea pollution from plastics, an issue that is very important for Cyprus as an island.
Panayiotou will also have a private meeting with her Greek counterpart, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Theodoros Skylakakis.
The two Ministers will discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on critical issues of environmental management.
Particular emphasis will be placed on waste management issues, Natura 2000 areas and cooperation in view of the Cyprus EU Presidency the first half of 2026.
(Source: CNA)
