Intervention by the President of the Republic at the
plenary session
of the 10th ASEM Summit, in
Milan
Effective practices can be established only as a result
of collaborative work and synergies among states, the President of the Republic
Mr Nicos Anastasiades said today during his intervention at the plenary
discussion on “Europe-Asia Partnership in Addressing Global Matters in an
Inter-connected World” of the 10 th ASEM Summit, taking place in
Milan, Italy.
In his intervention on Cooperation in Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management the President of the Republic said that natural
disasters undermine development and backtrack the prompt and full achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He added that ASEM has a collective
responsibility to actively collaborate in order to reduce the risks stemming
from disasters by strengthening preparedness and response.
He pointed out that investing in risk prevention,
mitigation and preparedness pays significant dividends, as compared to
responding for relief, recovery and reconstruction. “Therefore, we must work
collectively and systematically for the implementation of the 2005 Hyogo
Framework for Action,” the President said.
Referring to climate change the President noted that
“unless the international community decides to take concerted action, there is
no future for humanity on earth. The Mediterranean, the geographic neighborhood
of my own country, Cyprus, is a region already experiencing the first serious
effects of climate change, including prolonged periods of drought, increased
temperatures, and degradation of forests and of rare ecosystems.
It is essential that all states meet their obligations in accordance
with the timetable agreed in Warsaw, at the Climate Change Conference last
November,” he added, pointing out that “effective practices can be established
only as a result of collaborative work and synergies.”
