Cyprus, fully aware of the importance of COP30, is participating in the intensive negotiations taking place, strengthening efforts toward an ambitious text as an international agreement, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou said on Friday. What Cyprus is seeking, she said, ‘is to go a step further than what has been agreed at previous COPs.’
Panayiotou is in Belém, where she has been attending the World Conference on Climate Change (COP30) since November 19, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.
In her statements, the Minister noted that representatives from 180 countries from around the world were in Belém for COP30.
‘Cyprus is here, fully aware of the significance of this Summit and taking part in the intensive negotiations held over the last twenty-four hours, reinforcing efforts and substantially assisting the Danish (EU) Presidency and the European Commission in achieving a positive outcome, an ambitious text as an international agreement,’ she said.
She added that what is being sought is adequately funded measurable and specific adaptation targets from all states, as well as emissions reductions through the national commitments undertaken globally. The Minister also said that the international community is also calling for a roadmap for the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels.
What is essentially being requested, she said, ‘is to go one step further than what has been agreed at previous COPs.’
‘We, as the European Union, support the efforts of the Brazilian Presidency for a positive outcome,’ she stressed.
She added that on Friday, in the Plenary and in the ministerial meetings that will take place, Cyprus is to ask for ‘an ambitious text’, an international agreement, that will not jeopardise the competitiveness of the European Union, it will not undermine the EU’s leadership role in climate action, and will safeguard collective action against the climate crisis.