Cyprus calls for regional climate unity at international Nicosia summit

Cyprus used an international climate conference in Nicosia on Wednesday to call for stronger regional and international cooperation on climate change, with President Nikos Christodoulides saying the region must work together to turn the crisis into an opportunity to build more resilient economies, sustainable societies and a safer future for all.

The conference, titled Climate Action in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East: Regional Cooperation Empowered by Science and Innovation, is being held on April 8 and 9 in Nicosia within the framework of the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the EU.

Co-organised by the Cyprus Institute and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, it has brought together government officials, scientists, policymakers and representatives of international organisations, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and promoting science diplomacy in one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change globally.

In his message at the opening ceremony, Christodoulides said the conference must go beyond dialogue and deliver “tangible outcomes”, reinforcing the commitment of all sides to act collectively, decisively and without delay.

He added that “the road ahead is difficult, but one that must be travelled together, so that the region can assume a leading role in addressing the effects of climate change.”

At the same time, he said science, policy and innovation must be aligned, while regional and international cooperation must be strengthened.

In that context, he said the challenge can be transformed into “an opportunity” to build more resilient economies and sustainable societies, as well as a safer future for all, while reaffirming Cyprus’ commitment to that vision with consistency, responsibility and determination.

EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica, for her part, said the wider region is going through a period of intense crisis.

She pointed to high fossil fuel prices and dependence on them as a significant burden on economies, while warning that climate impacts are intensifying and already causing serious losses.

She also said that “the Mediterranean, particularly the southern Mediterranean, has considerable potential in renewable energy.”

Suica also referred to the importance of regional cooperation and initiatives that support investment in clean technologies, reduce investment risk and mobilise private capital.

Although the transition to sustainable energy models requires time, she said the opportunities are substantial and the challenges urgent, making collective action backed by science and innovation essential.

Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan also struck a warning note, saying instability in the Eastern Mediterranean has already become “a regional condition”.

Citing World Bank projections, he said the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by uncertainty because of ongoing conflicts and extreme weather events.

Referring to UNICEF data, he said 95 million people, including 45 million children, face life-threatening risks, while the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals exceeds $4.2 trillion annually.

At the same time, he noted that “global military spending has risen rapidly to $2.7 trillion.

Against that backdrop, he called for cooperation centred on science and innovation to build a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”

Opening remarks were also delivered by Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou, Cyprus Institute honorary president and EMME-CCI scientific director Costas Papanicolas, and Cyprus Institute president Stavros Malas.

The conference, seen as an important step ahead of the informal European Union summit in Nicosia on April 23, is focusing on critical aspects of the climate crisis, including climate science, the energy transition, water systems and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on cross-border cooperation and policy implementation.

With Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East among the regions expected to face some of the most severe consequences of climate change, the conference also reinforced the need for immediate and coordinated planning to implement meaningful action.

In that effort, cooperation among states is emerging as a decisive factor in addressing the crisis effectively.