Dealing with drought was a “matter of the highest national priority,” director-general of the ministry of agriculture, Andreas Gregoriou, said on Monday. Government is stepping up efforts to tackle drought and water shortages, announcing a range of immediate measures to protect vital supplies.

Addressing the 6th international conference on water economics, statistics and finance and the 10th leading edge conference for strategic asset management (Lesam), Gregoriou outlined a short-term plan to safeguard water resources.

The measures include building mobile desalination units, offering grants for small private desalination plants aimed at hotels, speeding up repairs and maintenance of water supply networks, and cutting back the amount of water used for irrigating green spaces. A public awareness campaign will also be launched to encourage people to save water.

“The challenges of drought and water scarcity are of utmost national importance,” Gregoriou said.

“For decades, Cyprus has invested in increasing water availability, using both conventional and unconventional sources.”

He highlighted major projects already completed, such as dams, sewage treatment plants, and water pipelines. Cyprus currently operates five desalination plants with a combined capacity of around 80 million cubic metres per year, aimed at reducing dependence on rainfall in urban and tourist centres.

Gregoriou added that the Government continues to invest in infrastructure to make the best use of treated wastewater for irrigation and to replenish underground water supplies. Looking further ahead, he revealed plans for two large permanent desalination units, which will further secure water supplies against the effects of climate change. These plants are set to link with renewable energy sources. A review of water pricing policies is also under way to promote conservation.

The international conferences, which run from today until April 30, are organised by the Neapolis University Pafos, the Technical University of Crete, and two specialist groups of the international water association (IWA).

According to Neapolis University, hosting these world-class conferences marks a milestone for Cyprus. The water economics conference takes place every four years, while Lesam is held every two, aiming to encourage the exchange of knowledge and best practices in water management. The events are held under the aegis of the IWA, the world’s largest network in the field, with more than 10,000 members across 140 countries.

Key topics being discussed include the economic and management aspects of water resources, governance, regulatory frameworks, asset management, digital innovation, and resilience in water systems, with a special focus on arid and semi-arid regions.

Neapolis University said it is committed to academic excellence and hopes the conferences will build partnerships and strengthen Cyprus’s position as a hub for global dialogue and innovation in sustainable water management.