President Anastasiades outlined his initiative for Cyprus to play a coordinating role in the actions of the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East region to jointly address climate change, at a meeting with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, world-renowned professor of economics at Columbia University, senior UN advisor, member of The Cyprus Institute Board of Trustees, and a leader in sustainable development. Also present at the meeting was CyI President Prof Costas Papanicolas.

Climate change and the Cyprus initiative, as well as sustainable development, was the focus of the meeting that took place on Wednesday, February 20, at the Presidential Palace. The President also referred to his interventions at the European Parliament and the tripartite conference in Israel (Cyprus, Greece, Israel) as well as to the proposal he will submit during the forthcoming EU/Arab States conference in Egypt. 

On his part, Prof Sachs expressed his great interest for the President`s initiative and submitted his own suggestions on the matter.

Present at the meeting were also Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Dr Costas Kadis, and Government Spokesman, Mr Prodromos Prodromou.