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Our planet is facing
some of the biggest challenges ever known: climate change, biodiversity loss,
pollution, resource depletion. The primary causes of the above are reckless
human activities, the exploitation of natural resources on an unprecedented
scale, exacerbated consumerism at some parts of the planet, and lack of
regulations.
Without urgent action the
existing ecological, economic, and social crisis will intensify on a global
scale. The environmental crisis is a global issue that transcends
borders and demands for international cooperation. However, shortcomings in
regional, national, and local systems of environmental governance exacerbate
the planetary crisis. The good news is that many current strategies and
initiatives for environmental governance offer hope.
The aim should be the support
of the Government, of businesses, and of the Civil Society, to strengthen
inclusive and effective systems for the promotion of environmental justice,
human rights, and sustainability, starting now!
The Aarhus Convention, the
relevant environmental harmonization legislation in Cyprus, national and
European policies, local decision-making structures, and the civil society,
are all significant, interconnected, and inseparable factors for an effective
environmental governance based on principles that include information,
participation, transparency, and accountability.
Cyprus has signed the Aarhus
Convention on access to information, public participation in decision‐making
and access to justice in environmental matters in 1998, and ratified it in
2003. Especially since 2004, following Cyprus’s accession to the EU, the
first two pillars of the Convention – access to environmental information and
public participation in environmental decision-making – implemented into EU
law, are institutionally and to a large extend practically observed.
Mr Forst was elected in 2022 as
the world’s first Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders within the
scope of the Aarhus Convention of the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe (UNECE). The purpose is to establish a rapid response mechanism to
address cases of sanctions, prosecution, harassment, and other forms of
reprisals against anyone exercising their rights under the provisions of the
Convention.
I welcome him qnd his team to
Cyprus, during their first country-visit following an invitation from the
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment. During our
meeting yesterday at the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment, I
had the opportunity to discuss with him matters related to his mandate and,
mainly, concerning the situation of environmental defenders in Cyprus.
Upon the completion of the
Special Rapporteur's visit, I will await his report. Within the competencies
and responsibilities of the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment,
in meaningful collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development,
and the Environment, the Public Authorities, the legal and the academic
community, and, of course, with the Civil Society at all levels, my goal is
to leverage the findings of the report and take relevant actions to enhance
the government's participation in the process of the protection of
environmental defenders within the scope of the Convention.
I will not elaborate further on
the Conference topics, since presentations from the Department of
Environment, case studies presented by academics and legal experts, and
discussions will follow.
In closing, it is important to
mention is that Civil Society in Cyprus is already quite active, having
resorted to justice in cases where they believe harm is done to the
environment, and incorrect decisions have been made by the competent
authorities.
Best wishes for a successful
Conference.
Thank you.
(ASP)
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