Cyprus is committed to working together alongside all UN member states to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights on an equal footing, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday, speaking at the UN Summit for the Future in New York.
He also said that Cyprus is advancing its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027 with a focus on the human rights of all and with special attention to children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Delivering the national statement of the Republic of Cyprus at the summit, Christodoulides expressed the commitment to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda and acknowledged global challenges such as climate change, inequality and conflict, stressing that leadership and transformative action are needed.
“I welcome the adoption of the pact and its two annexes. I recognise the significant progress made and I commend the dedication of all who contributed to this, and primarily of the co-facilitators who have led the negotiations. I truly believe that we can shape a future that reflects our shared values, even in complex negotiations. But our work does not end here”, he said.
He also said that Cyprus, as a member of the EU and with strong ties with various regions, is committed to contributing to the achievement of these goals.
“As a member of the European Union and the Asia-Pacific Group and with strong ties to the Small Island Developing States, Cyprus has a unique position and stands as a bridge between regions and perspectives. This vantage point equips us to better understand and address the concerns of our counterparts in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and beyond”, Christodoulides said.
He added that for Cyprus “climate change is not a distant threat but a lived reality. Droughts, rising sea levels and extreme weather events affect our livelihoods and communities daily. Hence, we welcome the growing global commitment to addressing these urgent issues, as reflected in the Pact for the Future”.
Christodoulides said that as a small island state, Cyprus is “committed to working together alongside all UN member states to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights on an equal footing.”
The President of the Republic also referred to Cyprus’ candidacy for the Human Rights Council in 2025-2027, focusing on advancing the human rights of all, with particular attention to children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, while also promoting cultural dialogue to bridge divides and combat discrimination.
Concluding, Christodoulides expressed the readiness of the Republic of Cyprus to continue its cooperation with all UN member states, “not only to defend human rights, but also to take concrete actions toward achieving the sustainable development goals.”
