«The Future of Peace Operations: Key Issues, Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of the Review on the Future of All Forms of UN Peace Operations»
New York, 9 September 2025
Mr. President,
At the outset, allow me to express our sincere appreciation to the Republic of Korea for organizing this important debate, and to all briefers for their insightful remarks.
Cyprus fully aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union. I would like to make some additional remarks in my national capacity.
Mr. President,
This debate comes at a pivotal moment as the United Nations undertakes a review on the future of all forms of UN peace operations.
Based on the Pact for the Future’s call to adapt peace operations to better respond to existing challenges and realities, it is first and foremost essential to reaffirm our shared commitments to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Since the first special political mission and peacekeeping operations were deployed in 1948, peace operations have grown, adapted and evolve to meet the demands of different conflicts, multifaceted crisis, and complex challenges, navigating the difficult path from conflict to peace.
Peace operations are a great example of multilateralism in action, mechanisms that are indispensable for the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, the effectiveness and adaptability of peace operations is more crucial than ever.
While we are undergoing the reviews of UN peace operations and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, at the same time as the UN80 initiative is underway, we need to ensure coherence and consistency between the different reviews, while ensuring that these reforms do not affect the ability of peace operations to deliver on their mandates.
In this context, allow me to highlight three important key points:
First, Security Council mandates must be fully respected and implemented. Therefore, it is imperative for the UN Security Council to remain at the centre of the peace and security architecture, as it bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Second, peace operations must be anchored in the principles of the UN Charter, and the future of peace operations must remain focused on upholding international law and human rights.
Lastly, in our effort to adapt peace operations to new realities, we should not lose sight of the core principles of peacekeeping: the consent of the Host Country and the impartiality of the peacekeeping mission.
Mr. President,
Cyprus, as the host country to peacekeeping operations, is fully cognizant of the necessity of sustaining a UN force that prevents the recurrence of fighting, particularly in the face of ever-evolving challenges. UNFICYP’s mandate, as agreed to by the Republic of Cyprus, aims to uphold the Charter, implement the relevant UNSC Resolutions and act as a bulwark against the consolidation of the effects of military aggression and illegal military occupation, by contributing to the restoration of law and order and ensuring a return to normal conditions.
Mr. President,
In a rapidly changing world, it is in our common interest to make the UN peace operations fit-for-purpose. Peace is a collective effort, and peace operations are an indispensable tool for peace building and stability, requiring a shared vision, a strong unified political backing and strong financial support.
I thank you.