Erhürman urges long-term water planning at climate forum

Nilden Bektaş Erhürman has called for North Cyprus to adopt long-term, science-based water management in response to climate pressures, according to the TRNC Presidency.

Speaking at the Women Leaders Governing Forum in Gaziantep on 2 October, held as part of the Climate, Environment, Women COP31 meetings, Erhürman said climate change was already affecting everyday life, including agriculture, food, health, the economy and living spaces.

She said Cyprus was particularly exposed to rising temperatures, warmer nights, lower rainfall and worsening drought. Erhürman also cited intense, short-duration rainfall as an added challenge, saying it places further pressure on the island’s limited water resources.

Water policy in North Cyprus should not be shaped by day-to-day political considerations, she said. Instead, she argued for an integrated approach that is sustainable, scientific and planned over the long term.

Erhürman described water supplied from Türkiye as an important resource, but said it should not be treated as sufficient by itself to resolve all water-related challenges. She listed drought, water scarcity, extreme heat and forest fires among Cyprus’s fundamental concerns.

She also said women may be disproportionately affected by economic crises, water shortages, food insecurity and disasters because of existing social inequalities. Erhürman called for obstacles to Turkish Cypriot participation in international and regional environmental forums, funding, scientific work and cooperation programmes to be removed.