Newsroom
President Nikos Christodoulides has called for stronger international cooperation to tackle climate change, warning that Cyprus is already experiencing its effects through water shortages, extreme temperatures, desertification and increasingly destructive wildfires.
Speaking at the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya on Wednesday, Christodoulides said tackling the climate crisis required political commitment, shared responsibility and practical action, rather than declarations alone.
“The Republic of Cyprus, a sovereign, equal and independent member state of the United Nations, comes to Antalya with a clear message,” he said, calling for decisive measures to address the environmental challenges facing countries around the world.
The President warned that current international efforts were falling short of the targets set by the Paris Agreement. He called for faster emissions reductions, a transition away from fossil fuels, a tripling of renewable energy production capacity and a doubling of improvements in energy efficiency by 2030.
He also urged governments to turn their climate commitments into concrete policies, supported by investment, adequate funding and measures to ensure a fair transition.
For Cyprus, climate adaptation has become an urgent national priority. Christodoulides pointed to the island's vulnerability to water scarcity, extreme heat, desertification and extensive wildfires, stressing that the effects of global warming were already being felt.
He also referred to Cyprus's recent Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2026, when Nicosia prioritised the implementation of the bloc's common climate commitments.
A central part of his address focused on the Cyprus-led Climate Change Initiative for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The programme brings together 10 countries and more than 200 scientific experts, with the aim of improving regional cooperation on climate adaptation, emissions mitigation and resilience.
The initiative includes practical cross-border projects and regional early warning systems designed to strengthen countries' ability to prepare for and respond to climate-related threats.
Christodoulides also drew attention to the Regional Aerial Firefighting Station established through cooperation between Cyprus and Jordan. The facility became operational earlier this year with European Commission support and provides a base in Cyprus for specialised firefighting crews.
By combining European civil protection resources with regional capabilities, the station is intended to improve emergency response and firefighting operations during major wildfires.
The President argued that the outcome of COP31 should be assessed through measurable action on the ground, rather than political promises. He called on countries to put aside divisions and work together towards a safer future.
Following the summit, Christodoulides departed Antalya for Dublin, where he is scheduled to attend the European Political Community summit on November 12 and the informal European Council meeting on November 13.
