Sustainable Ecosystems, Cyprus, Erimi, 9 June 2026
- Tessy Melidi
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
On June 9 2026, the Panicos Hadjihambis Foundation successfully organized a local workshop at the Foundation's headquarters in Erimi, Limassol, within the framework of the CERV European Project "Active Cities - Green Cities". The event focused on ecosystem sustainability, with a particular emphasis on the unique and sensitive environment of the Akrotiri Peninsula and Salt Lake.
The proceedings opened with a welcome speech and a detailed presentation of the project by Mr. Andreas Neokleous, Board Member of the Panicos Hadjihambis Foundation, who introduced the attendees to the core concepts of green cities, analyzing their benefits to the quality of life, temperature reduction, and social cohesion.
Following this, a welcome address was delivered by Dr. Christina Ionela Neokleous, (connected online) Representative of the Foundation from the UK, who highlighted the significance of the changes that ecosystems undergo over time.
The keynote speaker of the event was Mr. Christos Kombos, Representative of the Foundation, who developed the topic "Ecosystems and Climate Change". Mr. Kombos underlined that the climate crisis is already dramatically affecting the Mediterranean and Cyprus, leading to an increase in heatwaves, droughts, and rising sea levels.
Especially for the Akrotiri area, he pointed out the severe risks threatening the hydrology of the Salt Lake and migratory birds, the erosion of nesting beaches for protected turtles, the salinization of surrounding marshes such as Zakaki, as well as the alteration of flora due to the invasion of alien species.
At the same time, he stressed that these pressures are intensified by intense residential and tourism development, as well as marine pollution, making continuous cooperation among the Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, the British Bases Administration, scientific bodies, and environmental organizations—such as Terra Cypria and the Blue Marine Foundation—imperative.
Following the speeches, an interactive workshop and group discussion took place on the topic "The present and the future of sustainable ecosystems," successfully moderated by the Foundation's representatives, Mrs. Margarita Sofocleous and Mrs. Christiana Aristotelous. Participants had the opportunity to exchange views, record their findings, and propose solutions for environmental protection.
The event concluded with the presentation of the final findings, a closing speech by Mr. Andreas Neokleous, and the customary group photo of all attendees, sending a powerful message regarding the need for civil society mobilization to save the planet.
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