Press Releases

5-7 October 2022, Lefkosia 

The 9^th Ministerial Conference of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on the ‘Environment for Europe' titled: “Circular Economy, Sustainable Tourism and Education for Sustainable Development” will take place on 5-7 October, 2022, in Lefkosia at the “FILOXENIA” International Conference Center while parallel sessions will be organized at the Cyprus Institute.

The 9^th Ministerial Conference for Environment for Europe (EfE) is hosted by the Republic of Cyprus in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and is under the high auspices of the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades. More than 70 countries member states of the UNECE, the European Union, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, Caucasus, Carpathian will participate. An important number of Education and Environment Ministers will attend the Conference as well as over 1000 representatives from international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, youth, businesses and universities.

It is the largest Ministerial Conference on the Environment in the UNECE region which is held every five years. This is the first time that such a Ministerial Conference is held in the Mediterranean, focusing on three global issues: a) circular economy and sustainable infrastructure, b) sustainable tourism and c) education for sustainable development.

Important outcomes are expected to emerge from the conference regarding the issues of green economy and sustainable infrastructure of Europe, sustainable tourism and education for sustainable development. The conference will culminate with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration for the Environment in Europe and the Ministerial Statement on Education for Sustainable Development.

Four high-level meetings will be organized during the Conference:

a) The High-Level Meeting of the Ministers of Environment will discuss the thematic document for “Greening the economy in the pan-European region: working towards sustainable infrastructure” and the thematic document for “Applying principles of circular economy to sustainable tourism”.

b) The 3^rd Joint High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Education and Environment on Education for Sustainable Development will discuss the four main axes of the new UNECE ESD Strategy implementation framework 2021-2030 and the future steps for its implementation.

c) The 1^st High-Level Meeting of the Ministers of Education will discuss the future of ESD. The Ministers will reflect on the new strategic planning to develop networks and multilateral collaborations, to discuss and share experiences on key issues of ESD.

d) The High-Level Mediterranean Meeting between the Ministers of the Environment and Education is of particular importance. In its framework, the future steps of ESD in the Mediterranean will be decided.

During the Conference, 50 additional parallel sessions will be organized, where states and international organizations will present best practices and innovations, exchange ideas and enhance collaborations. Innovative materials and tools in the fields of circular economy, sustainable tourism and education for sustainable development will also be exhibited.

Lastly, a number of bilateral, trilateral and multilateral meetings are planned between participating countries, while all participants will have the opportunity through interactive workshops and excursions to get acquainted with the cultural and natural wealth of the island, as well as Cypriot gastronomy and hospitality.

The 9^th Ministerial Conference of UNECE in Cyprus is a meeting of cultures and civilizations. It will operate as a platform of communication, cooperation but also decision-making on the critical issues of environment and sustainability.

(MG/SCH)