Cyprus hosted on behalf of the Mediterranean countries this year the campaign for the celebration of the Mediterranean Coast Day, on September 25, 2019, which was carried out in collaboration with the Department of the Environment with the Center for Regional Activity (PAP / RAC) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). ).
The event was greeted by the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Ms. Natasa Pileidou, the Director of the Department of Environment, Mr. Costas Hatzipanagiotou, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Giannis Karousos, the Coordinator of the Mediterranean Plan of the United Nations, Mr. Regional Activity / Priority Action Plan, Ms. jeljka čkaričić.
The theme of the celebration was "Let's be Strategic", highlighting the National Strategies of Cyprus, Croatia and Lebanon, as well as the cross-border programs between Cyprus-Israel and Albania-Italy, among stakeholders such as policy-making centers, the media, NGOs and the general public. The event highlighted the value and environmental issues of coastal impact and their interaction with human activities.
As part of the event, the Ambassador of the Coast 2019, Ms. Xenia Loizidou, of the Non-Governmental Organization AKTI Center for Studies and Research, was awarded for her work on coastal management and protection. Ms. Loizidou participates in European and international groups of experts, writes scientific articles, publications and specialized technical reports on environmental issues and is one of the first scientists in Europe to deal with the problem of marine litter. Its role until next September is to support the United Nations Environment Program's efforts to raise awareness of the value of the coast and its sustainable development through interviews, messages, and information activities.
Additional information activities in the context of the Mediterranean Coast Day included the screening of co-financed projects related to the coastal zone of Cyprus, the visit to the Environmental Education Center, the National Forest Park of Cape Greco, and the observation of the region Natura 2000.
