Cyprus Government Focuses on Smart City Development, Says Deputy Minister
During the 2nd Cyprus Forum Cities event, House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou warned of significant challenges ahead in local governance. In her address, she underscored the necessity for both executive and legislative branches to remain vigilant, especially with substantial reforms on the horizon. Demetriou called for amendments to laws to address these issues and urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming elections on June 9th.
At the same forum, Deputy Minister Nikodemos Damianou presented the Cyprus government’s vision for smart city development. The Smart Cyprus initiative, he explained, is at the heart of this vision, aiming to integrate smart city solutions throughout the country using a platform economy approach. With €35 million allocated from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the initiative is currently in the tendering phase, with plans to install over 120,000 smart sensors.
Damianou also highlighted Cyprus’s achievement as the first European country to provide 100% 5G coverage to its population and announced a project to extend optical fiber networks to rural areas. The government’s broader strategy includes becoming a pioneer in high-speed connectivity by 2025, enhancing digital interactions between citizens and the state.
Cities Play a Vital Role in Improving the Quality of Life of Citizens Says Piki
Deputy Minister Irene Piki emphasized the critical role cities play in enhancing citizens’ quality of life. She praised the Cyprus Forum Cities as a youth-led initiative that exemplifies teamwork and participatory democracy. Piki outlined actions from the 2024 annual plan, such as innovative housing solutions, sustainable urban mobility projects, digital transformation efforts, and urban greening initiatives.
She also mentioned the National Action Plan for the Circular Economy and various projects aimed at creating a climate-neutral future. Piki highlighted the increased powers granted to local authorities by the reform, enabling them to be administratively and financially independent.
Commissioner for the Environment, Antonia Theodosiou, reiterated her office’s commitment to promoting sustainable community clusters and aligning with European directives on sustainable development. Meanwhile, President of the European Committee of Regions (CoR) Vasco Alves Cordeiro stressed the importance of decentralization and adequate funding for local and regional authorities.
Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO) Themis Christophidou reminded attendees of the EU’s cohesion policy’s impact on Cyprus, with €72 million invested in urban development strategies. She also referenced the European urban initiative, which encourages cities to lead in designing policy responses to local challenges.
The discussions at the forum highlighted the collective efforts towards
