Terra Cypria participated in the 45th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention, which took place in Strasbourg, France, from 8–12 December 2025.
Terra Cypria is participating for three whole decades (1995–2025) in the proceedings of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention, with an observer status as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partner from Cyprus.
Among other agenda items, during the 45th Meeting of the Standing Committee held last week, the Government Report submitted by the Department of Environment and the NGO Report submitted by Terra Cypria were presented, within the framework of the open case file concerning the conservation of the Akamas Peninsula and the sea turtle nesting beaches in Chrysochou Bay.
This case file was opened in 1995, following the submission of a complaint by Terra Cypria. Within the framework of the open file, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention carried out three on-the-spot appraisals in the area, in 1997, 2002 and 2016, and issued two Recommendations, in 1997 and 2016.
During the 45th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention, it was decided that the case file on the conservation of the Akamas Peninsula and the sea turtle nesting beaches in Chrysochou Bay will remain open. In particular, the Standing Committee:
- Welcomed the rejection of a proposed large-scale development consisting of 69 two-storey villas with swimming pools at the Xerolimni site in Pegeia, located within and adjacent to the Marine Protected Area (MPA) / Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) Lara–Toxeftra.
- Welcomed the proposed expansion of the existing boundaries of the MPA/SPAMI Lara–Toxeftra, submitted by the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas of the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP–RAC/SPA), as part of the most recent site assessment carried out in 2025.
This proposal includes the establishment of a 500-metre buffer zone both on land and at sea, as well as the extension of the marine boundaries of the MPA/SPAMI Lara–Toxeftra to a depth of 50 metres, to include Posidonia seagrass meadows, which constitute important foraging areas for the priority species of sea turtle. At the same time, the Standing Committee called on the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to adopt and implement these recommendations.
- Welcomed the fact that construction works for the two golf courses with related residential, tourist and commercial developments in Limni area, have not proceeded and that the project will ultimately not be implemented. The Committee also requested that the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus ensure the annulment of the environmental approvals and planning permits granted in 2013 and 2018.
- Noted the lack of progress regarding the designation of the entire Akamas Peninsula as an IUCN National Park, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, or another protected area with equivalent international protection status, as recommended in 2016. Such designation should include the Natura 2000 sites Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) Akamas Peninsula, as well as the SAC Polis–Gialia Area in Chrysochou Bay. The Committee therefore called on the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to fully comply with the 2016 Recommendation.
- Noted that the necessary legally binding Protection and Management Decrees for the Natura 2000 SAC and SPA Akamas Peninsula, as well as the SAC Polis–Gialia area in Chrysochou Bay have still not been issued. As a result, site-specific conservation objectives and appropriate management measures have not been established yet. The Committee further requested that the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus inform the Standing Committee of any future developments regarding the referral of the ongoing infringement procedure against Cyprus to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), due to the failure to establish site-specific conservation objectives and management measures for Natura 2000 sites.
- Welcomed the continued enforcement of compliance measures at the nesting beaches of the priority species of sea turtles within the MPA/SPAMI Lara–Toxeftra, which are monitored and controlled by inspectors of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR). The Committee expressed the hope that the number of inspectors would be sufficiently increased to cover all nesting beaches across the Akamas Peninsula and Chrysochou Bay. At the same time, it expressed concern that certain protective measures previously applied to prevent access by motorised vehicles to nesting beaches are no longer adequately implemented, such as the placement of bollards or boulders at beach access points. These measures were removed in connection with construction works under Phase A of the road network improvement project within the Akamas National Forest Park (NFP), leaving nesting beaches unprotected during the breeding season. The Committee therefore called on the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to strengthen monitoring and enforcement, ensuring comprehensive and adequate management of the Akamas Peninsula through improved coordination among all responsible authorities.
- Noted that the Sustainable Development Plan for the Akamas NFP includes activities and developments, such as the improvement of main forest roads, which have already caused significant negative impacts. In particular, the initial phase of road improvement works was implemented without a prior Appropriate Assessment of impacts on the conservation objectives and integrity of the Natura 2000 sites SAC and SPA Akamas Peninsula. The Committee therefore called on the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to ensure that all remaining phases of road improvement works, and the construction of visitor management and infrastructure nodes are subject to an Appropriate Assessment before any construction begins.
- Expressed concern regarding the increasing pressure to extend existing or establish new quarrying zones in the Androlikou Gorges, adjacent to the Natura 2000 sites SAC and SPA Akamas Peninsula.
For more information on the open case file, please visit the official website of the Bern Convention: https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention/-/1995-6-cyprus-akamas-peninsula
