ENG - UN CC:Learn

EUROPE AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF
INDEPENDENT STATES
CYPRUS
SPOTLIGHT
UN buffer
zone
CYPRUS
Mediterranean Sea
Turkish Cypriot area
Nicosia
Famagusta
Larnaca
Paphos Greek Cypriot area
Limassol
UK Sovereign
Base Area
Transboundary Transfer of Environmental Technology 2
There are barbed wires and there are walled-up buildings. There are also checkpoints
and minefields. But have environmental problems ever stopped at the checkpoint to show their passports The island
of Cyprus exists as a single ecosystem, despite the military barriers that prevent human passage between the Greek and Turkish
Cypriot sides.
In June 2004, the Bi-Communal Development Programme (BDP) organised workshops on organic farming with joint
UNDP/USAID funding of US$ 24,000. The workshop was attended by a large number of stakeholders concerned with a sustainable
future for farming, mining and forestry in Cyprus, including farmers associations (Greek and Turkish Cypriots), representatives
of the Forestry Department, academia, environmental NGOs, and experts from the Agricultural Research Institute. The
workshop discussed potential applications of mycorrhizal technology in Cyprus, an environmentally-friendly technology which
can help re-vegetation of environments that are extremely hostile to plants, such as abandoned mines,
areas which are severely eroded, very arid, or where the soil is too salty. The interest generated by
this mutual gathering of separated rivals was immense. The EU group of experts specialising in
mycorrhizal took a special interest, and provided five additional experts as trainers.
Organic agriculture is one of the main potential beneficiaries of mycorrhizal in Cyprus,
which can often be used as a natural alternative to fertilisers and pesticides. Following the
success of these workshops, the Cyprus Organic Advisory Group (COAG) was formed in
2005. This group of organic farming practitioners works to develop organic farming in
Cyprus through improved production, promotion, market research and assistance for certification.
Unlike previous efforts, the COAG has both Greek and Turkish Cypriot members,
who by working together are not only helping to develop an organic farming sector in
Cyprus, but are also forging lasting bonds between the two divided communities. Common
environmental issues bring together knowledge and resources, between which no border exists.
LAND
QUICK FACTS
Total UNDP and Co-Finance: $4,382,932
Total: $4,382,932
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