Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that more than 60 countries supported his initiative to hold a climate summit in Athens.
“At the last UN General Assembly, I announced that in 2020 Athens will host an international meeting of heads of state and government on the impact of climate change on our cultural heritage. More than 60 countries have already joined this initiative, including the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization”, – said Mitsotakis, speaking at the 4th summit of European-Arab cooperation in Athens.
“I take this opportunity to invite you to attend this important event. This is especially true for the Mediterranean countries with their rich cultural heritage”,, – said the Greek Prime Minister.
In June this year, Athens hosted the international conference “The Impact of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage: in the Face of Challenges”. It noted that extreme weather events and climate change have a negative impact on ancient monuments, it is time to include cultural heritage in discussions about climate change. If you do not act immediately, damage to particularly important world monuments can become irreparable.
Mitsotakis said that climate change was on the agenda of the European-Arab Conference, as environmental protection is literally connected with the present and future of mankind, with the life and well-being of all.
The Prime Minister said that Greece is complying with the Paris Agreement and has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the targets for 2020 and is approaching the parameters of 2030. By this time, 35% of the country’s total energy balance will come from renewable energy sources, the prime minister said.
Mitsotakis also confirmed the plan for a complete rejection of lignites in electricity production in Greece no later than 2028.