New york: Khassim Diagne, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus and head of the UN peacekeeping force on the island (UNFICYP), briefed the UN Security Council in closed consultations on the Secretary-General's reports concerning Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Diagne did not disclose details about the outcome of the consultations but mentioned that discussions are still at a preliminary stage. The meeting was part of the preparations for the upcoming renewal of UNFICYP's mandate, scheduled for Thursday, 29 January.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has recommended extending the UNFICYP mandate for another 12 months, until 31 January 2027. His report highlighted significant concerns about tensions in and around the buffer zone and reiterated issues concerning the fenced-off area of Varosha.
Guterres's Report on his Good Offices Mission in Cyprus indicated that informal meetings held in 2025, and ongoing contacts between the Republic of Cyprus's President and the new Turkish Cypriot leader, present a renewed opportunity to advance the Cyprus issue.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Numerous UN-led peace talks have failed to resolve the conflict, largely due to Turkish resistance. The last major negotiations, held in July 2017 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without agreement.
In 2025, the Secretary-General facilitated two informal meetings on Cyprus, first in March in Geneva and later in July in New York. A tripartite meeting with Cyprus leaders was also organized at the conclusion of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in September.
Mara Angela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is actively engaging with the involved parties. Additionally, former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, appointed as the Commission's Special Envoy for Cyprus, is expected to collaborate with Holgun in the ongoing settlement efforts.