Agenda Item 51 «Comprehensive Review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects »
United Nations, 11 November 2025
Mr. Chair,
As this is the first time I am taking the floor, allow me to congratulate you, and the Bureau for your election, and wish you every success in completing the work of the Committee. I reassure you of my Delegation’s full support.
Cyprus aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union but allow me to make some additional remarks in my national capacity, as Cyprus is both the host to a UN Peacekeeping Mission and a troop-contributing country.
Mr. Chair,
Since 1948 when UN peacekeeping began, peacekeeping operations have grown, adapted, and evolved to meet the demands of different conflicts, multifaceted crisis, and complex challenges, navigating the difficult path from conflict to peace.
Peacekeeping is one of the United Nations’ most important tools; a great example of multilateralism in action and an indispensable mechanism for the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, the effectiveness and adaptability of peacekeeping operations is now more crucial than ever.
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.
While we are undergoing the review of UN peace operations, at the same time as the UN80 initiative, we need to ensure coherence and consistency between these processes, while ensuring that these reforms do not affect the ability of peace operations to deliver on their mandates.
In this regard, allow me to highlight that Security Council mandates must be fully respected and implemented; it is imperative that the UN Security Council remains at the centre of the peace and security architecture.
Furthermore, peace operations must be anchored in the principles of the UN Charter, and their future 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, the impartiality of the peacekeeping mission, and the non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
Mr. Chair,
Cyprus, as the host country to a peacekeeping mission, 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.
The presence of UNFICYP shall continue to be indispensable for my country for as long as over a third of its territory remains under foreign occupation, and for as long as violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity continue in contrast with the with relevant Security Council Resolutions.
UNFICYP’s mandate, as agreed to by the Republic of Cyprus, aims to uphold the Charter, implement the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and act as a bulwark against the consolidation of the effects of aggression, by maintaining the ceasefire, contributing to the restoration of law and order and ensuring a return to normal conditions. The Force’ s presence continues to guarantee the fragile calm, by the daily prevention of tens of incidences that could escalate into stability threats, or even crisis, on the island, as the most recent Pyla violations and those perpetrated in Varosha clearly indicate, which were considered by the Security Council.
Within this context, Cyprus stresses the need for peacekeeping operations to have unimpeded access and freedom of movement in the areas they are mandated to operate in, so that they can fulfil their responsibility of accurately reporting to the Security Council, among others. At the same time Cyprus attaches great importance to the financial support to Peacekeeping missions in carrying out their mandates and in this respect has for years supported UNFICYP by covering nearly 35% of the Forces Budget through its own voluntary contribution.
We further underline the need for the protection of peacekeepers and ensuring accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. Attacks against peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of International Law and parties to conflicts are obligated to safeguarding their safety and security.
Furthermore, and as the host country, we welcome the upcoming field visit of Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34) in UNFICYP, and I reiterate Cyprus’ continued support and constructive engagement to the work of C34.
I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Member States that have contributed military and police personnel to UNFICYP throughout the years as well as to all the men and women that have served under the blue beret in Cyprus. I wish to especially pay tribute to the 187 military and civilian personnel that lost their lives in Cyprus in the line of duty; we are grateful to their service and sacrifice.
Mr. Chair,
Before I conclude, allow me to highlight that Cyprus fully supports the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and welcomes the increasing efforts for greater participation of women in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
In this regard, the Office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality and the Security and Defense Academy of Cyprus, under the aegis of the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), organized between 21 and 23rd October 2025 in Cyprus, a training course on the Integration of a Gender Perspective in the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), with a specific focus on Women, Peace and Security.
Mr. Chair,
In a rapidly changing world, it is our common interest to making the UN peacekeeping operations fit-for-purpose.
Peace is a collective effort, and peacekeeping operations are an indispensable tool for peace and stability, requiring a shared vision and a strong political will and support.
I thank you.