The two - day international conference on "Climate Crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East", organised by the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts and the Cyprus Institute, began on Thursday in the coastal town of Larnaka. The conference is held within the framework of the initiative undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus, to address climate crisis in the region and is attended by scientists and international policy makers from a total of 22 countries. Addressing the conference, Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr. Maria Panayiotou, said that in the coming months, Cyprus' goal is to strengthen regional cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle the severe impacts of climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. This initiative, she said, is key to ensuring our collective resilience and preparedness. Noting that the climate crisis "is indeed daunting, but it is not insurmountable" she said that the challenges ahead are significan t, but with determination, innovation, and cooperation, we can rise to meet them. "The actions we take today - both in mitigation and adaptation - will shape the future of our country and our region for generations to come. Cyprus is committed to leading by example, balancing ambition with realism, and pushing forward with the necessary actions to ensure a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for all" the Minister stressed. Cyprus, she said, cannot fight climate change alone, pointing out that "the challenges we encounter are shared across the region, and the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative is a testament to our commitment to regional collaboration". "By working together with our neighbours, we are building synergies to better understand and mitigate the unique climate challenges we collectively face. Through shared knowledge, scientific cooperation, and coordinated action, we can achieve more together than any one country could on its own". Referring to Cyprus' ac tions against climate change, she said that Cyprus is fully committed to achieving its decarbonisation goals as outlined in our National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030. This comprehensive plan, she went on to say, provides a clear roadmap, setting ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and significantly increase the share of renewable energy in our economy. "Our vision is to transition to a carbon-neutral society, with cleaner energy sources and more sustainable practices at every level" she said. Addressing the delegates via a televised message, Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan said that we are told that by 2050, protracted heat waves and sandstorms may make West Asia and the North Africa region uninhabitable, noting that already extreme weather disasters have displaced over 20 million people a year over the last 10 years. He added that 80% of those displaced live in Asia, home to over a third of the world's poorest people, and these regions become a focal point of intractable conflict of climate change, already, fragile conditions may worsen, leading to humanitarian crises. Addressing climate change or grand climate boiling, he noted, is inherently linked to a generational contract. "We are not talking about our futures, we are talking about future generations. So the decisions and actions taken by today's policymakers and societies at, for example, with a future conference to be held in the United Nations later this month, investing in sustainable practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is honouring a contract, a covenant, if you will", he added. Climate refugee, he said, is a permanent phenomenon, "a truly global problem that demands a truly global solution, a bottom-up approach coupled with unconventional and innovative approaches, whereby we empower our people to become citizens rather than to continue as followers". The Prince also said that we are not sure about the course of events in terms of relying on this 20th century global structure, w hich is still not suitable for challenges we face in the 21st. Closing his remarks, he stressed that without synergies, achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and particularly goal number 17, partnership is not possible, "and climate objectives remain out of breach, in fact, the whole ecosphere remains out of reach". President of the Cyprus Institute Stavros Malas, said in his address that the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region is, without question, one of the most climate-vulnerable areas in the world adding that the role of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East is crucial in global climate discussions. "We cannot ignore the geopolitical importance of our region, and with that comes a responsibility to lead by example" he said adding that if we do not act now, the consequences of climate change in our region will only become more severe. Noting that the risks to food and water security, public health, economic stability, and regional cooperation are monumental, he said that alongsi de these challenges, there are also opportunities. "This conference is a platform to address these issues collectively, to share knowledge, and to strengthen our collaboration in finding sustainable solutions for the future. This conference is not just a space for discussion but for action. We need to accelerate our efforts in developing climate mitigation strategies, increasing the adoption of renewable energy, and enhancing sustainable practices in all sectors" he stressed. At the Cyprus Institute, he said, they are dedicated to advancing scientific research and fostering innovative solutions to address the climate crisis. "Our research initiatives have provided critical insights into the specific vulnerabilities of the EMME region, and today, I am proud to see experts from a wide range of disciplines come together to contribute to these efforts," Malas concluded. In his address, President of the Academy of Science, Letters and Art, Achilleas Emilianides, said that the organisation of this major interna tional conference is one of the many initiatives they are currently taking regarding climate crisis, adding that our perspective is that climate change should be addressed by applying solid scientific foundations. "Furthermore, we strongly consider that critical issues should be considered from various perspectives. This conference therefore examines not only environmental or technical issues of the climate crisis, but also wider aspects such as financial, legal and moral aspects," Emilianides pointed out. "The conference has invited a broad spectrum of key stakeholders, including scientists, researchers and policymakers who will reflect on the scientific findings, with the aim of reaching scientific and policy consensus", he said. He expressed certainty that its proceedings will be fruitful, and that they will guide further collective actions for the benefit of the entire region. President of the International Programme Committee, Professor Costas N. Papanicolas said that the Eastern Mediterranean - Midd le East region is a climate change 'hotspot', noting that recent data confirm modeling predictions that catastrophic impacts are manifesting in this region in a most intense manner. "If we do not abandon the 'business as usual' pathway, if we do not act immediately and in a concerted effort, then the impacts on the nearly half billion people living in our region are forecasted to be nothing short of devastating," he warned. These impacts, he added, will reverberate globally. "Unfortunately, this conference is happening at a terrible time, in the midst of intensifying warfare, the worst that our region has experienced in decades. The intensification of hostilities in recent days has impacted participation in the conference. A number of key speakers and participants had to cancel during the last few days their trip to Cyprus," he said. Source: Cyprus News Agency