On the occasion of Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association's 30th anniversary, CYMEPA President George Tsavliris, CYMEPA friends and associates participated in the greatest relay race to take place in Cyprus' history, the "Running Out of Time" relay on 31 October 2022. The 7,767 km running relay began from Glasgow, Scotland (Host of COP26) at the beginning of October 2022 and ended in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (Host of COP27) carrying a relay baton containing messages from our future leaders. 

The Deputy Minister of Shipping Mr Vasilios Demetriades and the Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Mr Thomas Kazakos also participated in the race.
The relay was honored with the additional presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Mr Kostas Kadis, the Environment Commissioner, Ms Clelia Vasileiou, the Deputy Mayor of Limassol and many more.

From the opening ceremony in COP26 host city Glasgow on 30 September 2022 – where the message was sealed in the baton – the relay journeyed through 18 countries – UK (Scotland, Wales, England), France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt – arriving to Sharm el-Sheikh on 6 November 2022 in time for COP27 which took place from 6 to 8 November 2022. The relay baton beyond being symbolic, carried messages from our future leaders and was  presented to delegates at COP27, recognising thousands of individuals and urging for global action and climate education.

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WARM WELCOME in CYPRUS

The "Running Out of Time" relay received a warm welcome when the baton and support crew arrived in Limassol at the CYMEPA offices on Monday 31 October 2022. CYMEPA hosted the venue for Cyprus (Stage / Stop 638) and was attended by many distinguished guests. 

Mr George Tsavliris quoted Sir David Attenborough during COP26 last year: "If working apart we are a force powerful enough to destabilise our planet, surely working together we are powerful enough to save it". CYMEPA and the entire Cyprus shipping community are committed to help build a future that is inclusive and sustainable for all". The impact of climate change on our planet will be felt most by our youth and future generations. The collective voice needs to be heard and action needs to be taken NOW. Quality climate education is critical if we are to equip people of all ages and in all places with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a future in which we can thrive.

Young people need to be recognised as leaders, placed at the forefront of the conversation about climate change and empowered via education. The 'Running Out of Time' relay race calls on world leaders to provide us with the skills and training to build a sustainable world. Our world is warming and to keep the increase to 1.5 degrees we need forward thinking, consistent policies and funding to help us reach Net Zero Emissions.

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CYMEPA  is the national partner of the relay. 

CYMEPA  aims to encourage effective efforts to prevent all forms of pollution of the sea. CYMEPA helps seafarers and executives to be aware of safety and marine environment protection. CYMEPA operates FEE programmes in Cyprus and undertakes awareness campaigns, giving priority to education for sustainable development, particularly of School children.

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https://running-out-of-time.com/