Activities

  • Europe must learn to leave with Fire, 22 January 2026

    Policy Briefing: “Europe Must Learn to Live with Fire”

    January 22, 2026 | Nicosia, Cyprus

    The European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC) and the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts co-organized a high-level policy briefing and public discussion to present the findings of the landmark EASAC report, “Changing Wildfires in Europe.”

    The event brought together scientists, policymakers, and environmental experts to discuss a paradigm shift in how the Mediterranean handles the escalating threat of wildfires.

    Key Insights & Regional Impact:

    • A Call for Proactive Management: The briefing emphasized moving beyond reactive fire suppression toward risk-based land management. The central message was clear: Europe must transition from fighting fires to building resilience and fire adaptation.
    • Cyprus on the Front Line: The report highlights that the Mediterranean faces a rapid rise in fire frequency and intensity. Alarmingly, it notes that Europe is projected to lose an area equivalent to the entire landmass of Cyprus every year to wildfires.
    • Regional Collaboration via EMME-CCI: President of The Cyprus Institute, Prof. Stavros Malas, emphasized that wildfires are a top priority for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI). Given that wildfires do not respect national borders, regional scientific cooperation is the only viable path forward.
    • The European Wildfire Hub: Discussions focused on the potential of a proposed European Wildfire Hub. This center would serve as a focal point for shared monitoring, advanced predictive modeling, and collaborative scenario development across the continent and the EMME region.

    Official Links:

  • Marine Environment Workshop, 19-21 November 2025

    Throughout November 2025, The Cyprus Institute (CyI) and its partners under the EMME-CCI framework reached several major milestones in marine environment research and regional climate policy.

    International Workshop: “Threats to the Mediterranean Marine Ecosystems”

    November 19–21, 2025 | Nicosia, Cyprus Hosted at The Cyprus Institute and organized by the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, this high-level scientific workshop served as a pivotal moment for the EMME-CCI.

    • Global Collaboration: Funded by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the event united leading experts from Europe, Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
    • Focus: Participants addressed the accelerating threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystem health caused by a rapidly warming Mediterranean basin.
    • Leadership: The initiative was supported by the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC) and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC).

    Public Lecture & Task Force Report Launch

    November 19, 2025 The month’s activities included a hybrid public event titled “Climate Change and the Marine Environment: Global and Regional Challenges.”

    • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Aristomenis P. Karageorgis, Director and President of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), delivered a comprehensive overview of the stressors facing the Mediterranean, from acidification to invasive species.
    • Major Publication: The event coincided with the official release of the Report of the Task Force on Marine Environment & Resources.
      • As a core scientific component of the EMME-CCI, this report provides the most up-to-date assessment of regional marine vulnerabilities and offers a roadmap for science-based policy interventions.

  • 8th Cairo Water Week, 12-16 October 2025

    The Cyprus Institute at the 8th Cairo Water Week (CWW)

    October 12–16, 2025 | Cairo, Egypt

    The Cyprus Institute (CyI) maintained a prominent presence at the 8th Cairo Water Week, a premier regional forum dedicated to water and climate resilience. Representing the Secretariat of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI), the CyI delegation played a key role in bridging the gap between scientific research and regional policy.

    Key Highlights:

    • Technical Session Leadership: On October 13, CyI co-organized a session titled “The EMME-CCI: Plans and Actions during the Cyprus Presidency of the EU.” Moderated by Prof. Fadi Comair, the session explored cross-border water and energy projects and the strategic role Cyprus will play during its 2026 EU Council Presidency.
    • High-Level Diplomacy: The delegation met with Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation to strengthen bilateral collaboration on water management and climate adaptation strategies.
    • Regional Collaboration: Following the relaunch of the EMME-CCI by President Nikos Christodoulides, CyI actively engaged with international organizations and academic leaders to foster a Regional Scientific Alliance to combat the urgent climate challenges facing the EMME region.
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