Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Dr. Athena Michaelidou stressed the great significance of the MED9 summit and the UNECE Forum on Education for Sustainable Development in promoting discussions and exchanging know-how and scientific data to address the multidimensional challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the Athalassa Centre for Environmental Awareness and Education, Dr. Michaelidou referred to the hosting in Limassol, on 27 June 2024, of the MED9 Ministerial Meeting for Education for Sustainable Development and Green Growth in the Mediterranean and on 27-28 June of the International Forum of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on Education for Sustainable Development, on "Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future - Youth Entrepreneurship and Participation".

It will be attended by the Ministers of Education and other high-ranking officials of the nine Mediterranean Member States of the European Union, while the UNECE Regional Summit will be attended by Ministers, high-level officials and representatives of the public and private sectors from 56 countries of the UNECE region and the Mediterranean.

In her address, Dr. Michaelidou referred to the message of these two summits, which is none other than the urgent need to address environmental challenges and our obligation to protect our planet. She added that in this process the focus and protagonists are our young people, whom, through the two Summits, we see as leaders of tomorrow and subversive agents of today's changes.

She also pointed out that "by bringing together in Cyprus experts from the field of education, innovation and entrepreneurship from three continents, we aim to exploit collective knowledge that will bring us closer to our common vision for the sustainability of the planet".

She stressed that "the two important international events we host aspire to be a bridge of cooperation and a communication platform on Education for Sustainable Development issues, providing valuable information and examples for integrating sustainability practices in education". They are, she added, "important milestones in promoting discussions and exchanging know-how and scientific data to address the multidimensional challenges of climate change and environmental degradation".

Referring to Cyprus' choice to hold the two Summits, Michaelidou explained that this is not accidental, adding that "Cyprus, over the last ten years, has been an international leader in Education for Sustainable Development and is an example of good practice".

The Education Minister also pointed out that hosting these two high-level international events strengthens Cyprus' image as a pioneer in sustainability and education, while at the same time it is a first-class opportunity to promote policies and reforms promoted by the Republic of Cyprus for Education for Sustainable Development, in the context of the revised National Strategic Planning 2030.