The Ambassador applauded the many accomplishments to date and called on local experts to continue to maintain, use and improve the system on which sound decisions can be made with regard to the island’s resources
U.S Ambassador Frank Urbancic and USAID Cyprus Representative Alan Davis
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The USAID-funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) project held an event to mark the successful completion of an eighteen-month activity to build Cypriot capacity in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and natural resource planning and management. In his remarks, U.S. Ambassador Urbancic applauded the many accomplishments to date and called on local experts to continue to maintain, use and improve the system on which sound decisions can be made with regard to the island’s resources.
Through this activity, more than 150 people were trained in how to use the latest GIS technology and several mentored projects were implemented to improve the day-to-day management of critical resources such as water. Additionally, the GIS activity has made data and information previously unavailable to resource managers accessible to them in their daily routines—something that should contribute to better performance and decision making. Also significant to note is the culture of cooperation that has been nurtured between those who have been working with SAVE and ultimately need to work together on matters related to sustainable development.
The GIS activity was part of SAVE’s overall work to build local capacity to better protect and manage Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources. In addition to strengthening skills in critical areas such as GIS, SAVE combines work on environmental protection with cultural heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration. Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through encouraging responsible economic development and sound environmental management.
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