The Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (NDLGO) signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel's national water company Mekorot on Tuesday to promote cooperation and the exchange of expertise in sustainable water resources management.
The agreement was signed by NDLGO President Constantinos Yiorkadjis and Barak Graber, chief executive of Mekorot Development & Enterprise, in the presence of Israeli Ambassador Oren Anolik, government officials and representatives of both organisations.
The partnership aims to facilitate cooperation in areas including water management, infrastructure, innovation and best practices for addressing water scarcity.
Reduce leaks
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Yiorkadjis said one of NDLGO's main priorities is further reducing non-revenue water, primarily losses caused by leaks.
He said non-revenue water in Nicosia district currently stands at about 19%-20%, the lowest level among Cyprus districts and below the European Union average.
"We have set ourselves very ambitious targets, one of our primary objectives – and an area in which we will be seeking the company's support – is to achieve a further reduction in non-revenue water," he said.
Both dealing with climate change
Yiorkadjis described the agreement as a partnership between two organisations operating in water-scarce environments and highlighted Mekorot's expertise in desalination, water reuse, smart water networks and advanced technologies.
He said climate change affects countries across the region in similar ways, making water management a shared responsibility.
Sewerage management knowhow
A second priority for NDLGO, he said, is management of the sewerage network, particularly in dealing with problems that may arise during periods of flooding.
Graber said Cyprus and Israel share common challenges in securing water supplies and managing Mediterranean water resources.
He said Mekorot's experience accumulated over the past 90 years would be available through the agreement, adding that the company would contribute its engineering expertise and workforce to support joint objectives.
Water security
Israeli Ambassador Oren Anolik said cooperation between the two countries continues to expand and that water security is an area where collaboration can have a direct impact on daily life.
"This is not only an environmental challenge. It's also an economic one and a strategic one," he said.
Anolik noted that Israel has developed extensive expertise in water management and said Mekorot had already contributed to major projects in Cyprus, including desalination plants in Larnaca and Limassol.
"Today's agreement builds on this successful cooperation, and it also opens the door to new opportunities," he said.
Water Development Department Director Iliana Tofa welcomed the agreement and said Cyprus has worked with Mekorot since 2015 on desalination projects.
She said the company had provided significant support during the initial stages of that cooperation.
Asked about the practical benefits of the memorandum, Yiorkadjis said the agreement would initially focus on exchanging information and identifying priority areas where joint expertise could be applied.
Graber said the signing marked the beginning of a longer-term relationship and that both sides would work together to identify challenges, set priorities and develop appropriate solutions.
Source: CNA
