The international community must translate its commitments into measurable results in order to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michail, stressed in a statement before the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee.
Speaking on 6 October, she also reaffirmed Nicosia's unwavering support to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Cyprus aligned itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and, in its national capacity, stressed that “as the 2030 Agenda is entering its most consequential phase, the question before us is no longer whether our commitments are adequate, but whether we can translate them into measurable results.”
“While conflict, inequality and the triple planetary crisis are eroding development gains, the most vulnerable are placed under increasing pressure,” Cyprus said. Responding quickly and effectively, it added, requires “renewed commitment in multilateral cooperation and in financing models capable of delivering at scale,” also in line with the implementation of the Sevilla Commitment.
Particular attention was given to intensifying climate pressures. “The Mediterranean, a climate change hotspot, is a case in point in this respect,” Michail said, noting that “prolonged heatwaves, droughts, increasing and extensive wildfires have become the new reality for this part of the world.”
Against this backdrop, she highlighted the establishment of an EU co-funded regional hub in Cyprus, CRAFS, “to boost aerial firefighting capacity, disaster response, and civil protection across the southern Mediterranean and the Middle East.”
“As an island state, Cyprus attaches particular importance to SDG14 and the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources,” the statement said.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas,” Michail stressed, also highlighting “the universal and unified character of the Convention.”
“Its provisions reflect customary international law and are thus binding on all states irrespective of whether they have acceded to the Convention or not,” the statement added.
Ambassador Michail also highlighted the continued development cooperation and provision of humanitarian assistance through CyprusAid, “supporting schools, hospitals, community health facilities, capacity building and an expanding scholarship programme directed particularly towards countries of the Global South, with special emphasis on neighboring countries, Africa and Small Island Developing States.”
Cyprus further described its term in the United Nations Human Rights Council as “a chance to support the global development agenda” by promoting “equal access to education, healthcare and economic opportunity, especially for women, young people and marginalized groups, as central elements to achieving sustainable development.”
“The path to 2030 will depend on whether we can strengthen resilience, protect natural resources and build partnerships that accelerate implementation,” she said.
“The time remaining is short. Our collective effort must now be defined by implementation, cooperation and results that make a measurable difference,” she concluded.
(Source: CNA)
