Address by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr Maria Panayiotou, at the International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology, and Atmospheric Physics (COMECAP 2025)

It is a true pleasure to welcome so many distinguished experts and friends to Cyprus for the International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology, and Atmospheric Physics (COMECAP 2025). Hosting this conference is not only an honour for us, but also a meaningful opportunity to connect science with society, research with policy, and knowledge with action.

Since its establishment, COMECAP has become a respected institution for scientific exchange and collaboration, and we are especially proud that it is being held in Cyprus for the second time.

The first COMECAP hosted here took place in 2004, co-organised with the Department of Meteorology of the Republic of Cyprus, and it marked the beginning of a strong tradition. Today, more than twenty years later, its return underlines the key role of our country in the region as a hub for dialogue and innovation in the atmospheric sciences.

The themes of this year’s conference reflect some of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change and its socioeconomic impacts, extreme weather events, air quality, renewable energy, and the sustainable management of natural resources. For Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean, these are not distant concerns. Our region is among the most vulnerable climate “hotspots” in the world, already facing hotter and drier summers, more frequent droughts, and increasing risks for agriculture, ecosystems, and public health.

Cyprus is responding to these challenges with determination and concrete steps. We are investing in agrometeorological services to better support our farmers, expanding the use of technology and digital tools to monitor and manage natural resources, and strengthening cooperation with universities and research centres, both nationally and internationally. Our policies aim to combine scientific knowledge with practical solutions —securing food production, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring water sustainability.

COMECAP 2025 is therefore particularly important to us. It creates a bridge between cutting-edge research and the practical policies needed to build resilience in our societies. It also provides a platform for regional cooperation, enabling countries of the Mediterranean and beyond to share knowledge, compare experiences, and develop joint strategies to address climate change.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Hellenic Meteorological Society for organising this conference, to the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence for hosting, and to the Department of Meteorology of the Republic of Cyprus for their valuable support. Thanks to your combined efforts, this conference stands as a true meeting point for science, policy, and society.

I am confident that the discussions and exchanges that will take place here will not only enrich our understanding of meteorology and climatology, but will also inspire practical actions that make a real difference for our communities —transforming today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

I wish you every success and a fruitful conference, and I warmly welcome you once again to Cyprus.

Thank you.

(EFys/MS)

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