Press Releases

Dear Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Mr Kyriacos Kakouris,

Dear Ministers,

Your Excellencies Ambassadors,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, and Friends,

It is with great pleasure and honour that I address this important gathering today. This regional conference represents a crucial opportunity to embark on a shared journey to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: Water Challenges in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Today, we are not merely addressing a technical issue of resource management, but rather, focusing on a significant matter that transcends national boundaries. Water security, in the context of climate change and demographic pressures, has emerged as one of the defining geopolitical challenges of the 21st century. How we respond to this challenge will shape not only the sustainability of our economies but also the peace and stability of our region.

For decades, the European Investment Bank has demonstrated remarkable leadership by investing in the global water sector. I commend the EIB for its forward-thinking approach, recognizing that water is not just a commodity ‒it is the foundation of human survival, economic growth, and international stability.

The Mediterranean region, known for its distinctive climate and rich biodiversity, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and water scarcity. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and more frequent and severe droughts are realities that we must contend with. These changes lead to a reduction in annual rainfall and intensify competition for water resources.

Cyprus is a prime example of a Mediterranean country grappling with these challenges. With limited natural water sources, a semi-arid climate and periodic droughts, the pressure on our water systems is immense. Over the past few decades, we have witnessed a significant decrease in annual rainfall, affecting both surface and groundwater resources, with consequent impacts on human well-being and the economy.

Rapid urbanisation, population growth and a booming tourism industry have further increased water demand, putting further strain on water resources. These extreme conditions make it imperative to use unconventional water resources to address water imbalances, such as advanced wastewater treatment and reuse systems and seawater desalination.

Today’s event, aptly titled “Navigating Water Challenges in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region”, is a call to action ‒a call to address these challenges with urgency, innovation, and cooperation. The journey ahead will require the dedication of scientists, the expertise of water management professionals, the commitment of policymakers, and the collaboration of the private sector. Above all, it will require the resolve of our governments and societies to work together, harnessing our shared challenges and knowledge to secure a sustainable future for the generations to come.

Water scarcity is not just an environmental challenge; it is a multidimensional issue with far-reaching economic and social ramifications. It threatens food security, hampers economic growth, and disrupts social stability. For our region, where we face both shared and distinct water-related challenges, cooperation is one of our strongest assets. Cyprus stands ready to work closely with its neighbours, both bilaterally and regionally, to develop resilient water systems that can withstand the pressures of climate and demographic expansion.

To this end, recognizing the urgent need to address common challenges and the fact that investing in partnerships, with the belief that collaborations between countries can yield tangible results, a Memorandum of Understanding for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of water resources will be signed today, between the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour of the Republic of Malta.

Moreover, recently, Cyprus has hosted the EU MED-9 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting, which focused on water scarcity. The joint declaration signed by nine Mediterranean Ministers outlined five key priorities:

1. Sustainable Water Management
2. Strengthened Mediterranean Cooperation
3. Integrated Legislative Approaches
4. Support for the European Water Resilience Strategy
5. A Water Conservation Culture

This Joint Declaration is a key example of how collaboration can address shared water challenges. It calls for securing water availability in the primary sector, simplifying Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) processes, and supporting innovative water management technologies. Importantly, it reflects the local needs of member states in the effort to safeguard food security and agricultural incomes across Europe.

Your Excellencies, dear colleagues, dear friends,

Water scarcity is a global issue, but its solutions lie in regional cooperation, mutual respect, and the shared will to act decisively. Through this conference, organised by the European Investment Bank, which I thank for its tireless work in prioritizing water security, the goal is to share knowledge, advance sustainable technologies, and implement water management practices that honour our responsibilities to each other and to our planet. I wish the conference every success.

In closing, I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has dedicated their time and expertise to be here. I am hopeful that the discussions and collaborations that will emerge from today’s gathering will serve as a powerful step toward a water-secure future. I am confident that, by moving forward together, we can navigate these challenges with courage, unity, and vision for a more sustainable and resilient Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region. In doing so, we are not only addressing the immediate issue of water scarcity, but also fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development across our region.

Thank you.

(EFys/AS/AP)