November 20, 2023
The inauguration ceremony of the co-funded Smart Nicosia project was held on Monday, 20/11/2023, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, political leaders, EU and non-EU officials, and a large audience. The event was organised by Nicosia Municipality.
The main axes of this €6.5 million project, implemented under the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA2021-2027”, co-funded by the EU, include sustainable mobility, the environment and energy. The Smart Nicosia project has placed the city on the map of smart cities of Europe. Thanks to the use of new technologies, Nicosia will transform into a city with smart and sustainable growth, offering new experiences in the daily lives of both its residents and visitors.
Mr. Constantinos Yiorkadjis, Mayor of Nicosia, said in his address that growth and prosperity in modern cities depend on the availability and quality of communication, knowledge and social infrastructure, in other words what we call “intellectual and social capital”. He also added that traditional services are becoming more efficient with the use of digital and telecommunication technologies, to the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses.
In his speech, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, stated that the capital of Cyprus has earned a well-deserved place on the map of European cities that innovate, in line with Europe’s orientation towards smart sustainable cities. He went on to say that, due to its size, Cyprus can achieve the goal of a green and digital Europe much faster than larger EU Member States.
Ms. Themis Christofidou, Director-General of the European Commission’s Regional and Urban Policy, said in her address that Nicosia is joining a group of cities across Europe that are taking a big step forward towards digital and green transition. She also said that Nicosia Municipality aspires to transform the capital of Cyprus into a smart city, with innovations that improve quality of life, promote sustainable development and establish Nicosia as an innovation hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In his address, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance of Greece, said that a smart city is a city that interacts with, listens to and understands the demands of its citizens and strives to provide immediate solutions. He further explained that smart cities change people’s lives and create conditions for greater security and more opportunities for convenience, therefore allowing citizens to enjoy more free time for leisure and human relations.
Cypriot MEP Loucas Fourlas (EPP), rapporteur of the European Year of Skills 2023, delivered a remote address, stating that smart cities are about innovation, which stems from people who look to the future with optimism.
During the ceremony, Ms. Nadia Lortzie, Smart Nicosia Project Manager, presented the project.
For more information on Smart Nicosia, please visit the Project’s website www.smartnicosia.eu.