The social protection policies of Cyprus were presented by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, who participated in the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development of the United Nations in New York.

A press release issued by the Deputy Ministry, said that the Deputy Minister emphasised the urgent actions and reforms needed with a view to achieve the implementation of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, with fair, effective and inclusive social policies, in the context of the National Declaration of the Republic of Cyprus.

Evangelou referred to the broader social protection policies of Cyprus such as, among others, the Minimum Guaranteed Income, the Minimum Wage, the General Health System, the Long-Term Care Services as well as the modernisation of services to respond to the green and digital transition.

It is noted that in the context of the social integration of Persons with Disabilities, reference was made to the "National Disability Strategy 2018-2028''.

On the sidelines of the 62nd Session of the UN Commission for Social Development, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare held a meeting with the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, LI Junhua, during which they exchanged views on the challenges at the international level concerning the implementation of the Social Agenda 2030 and the Social Development Goals. 

Evangelou also held bilateral contacts with the Minister of Labour, Welfare and Social Protection of Portugal, Ana Mendes Godinho, the Deputy Minister of Multilateral Relations of Costa Rica, Alejandro Solano Ortiz, and the Deputy Minister of Social Development of Jordan, Barq Al-Dmour, during which an exchange of good practices was agreed on matters that relate more broadly to social policy.

During her stay in New York, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare met with the Archbishop of America Elpidophoros, as well as the President of the American Cypriot Federation, Kyriakos Papastylianou and members of the Cypriot diaspora, with whom she discussed the social challenges faced by the diaspora, and ways of further cooperation.