Nicosia: The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another year, extending its operation until January 31, 2027. The resolution was passed with 13 votes in favor, while Pakistan and Somalia abstained from voting. According to Cyprus News Agency, the resolution underscores the UN's commitment to achieving a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue, highlighting that the current status quo is unsustainable and poses risks of irreversible changes on the ground. It emphasizes that the situation is not static and that the absence of an agreement exacerbates political tensions and deepens the division between communities, potentially undermining prospects for a settlement. Negotiations for the resolution were more complex this year due to differing viewpoints on key issues. The United Kingdom, acting as the penholder on Cyprus, presented the initial draft of the resolution on January 16 and held a round of negotiations on January 21. After receiving feedback on revised drafts, the UK placed a third draft under a silence procedure, which Pakistan disrupted, leading to further comments from other members. A fourth draft was subsequently placed in blue on January 29. The resolution maintains UNFICYP's core mandate and tasks as previously outlined in Resolution 2771 (2025) and reiterates the importance of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality. It acknowledges the ongoing personal engagement of the UN Secretary-General and his team, including Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín Cuellar, and urges all parties to actively engage with the Secretary-General's efforts. The resolution also welcomes intensified dialogue between the two sides, noting outcomes from informal meetings in Geneva and New York in 2025. It calls on leaders to support the work of Technical Committees and advance confidence-building initiatives, including opening new crossing points and involving civil society in the peace process. During d iscussions, Council members expressed concerns about violations of the military status quo along ceasefire lines and the militarization of the buffer zone. The resolution condemns such violations and calls for steps to de-escalate tensions in the Buffer Zone. The socioeconomic disparity between the two Cypriot communities was also highlighted as a concern, with calls for efforts to address this through meaningful contacts and the promotion of intra-island trade. The status of Varosha remains a contentious issue, with the resolution expressing regret over unilateral actions and calling for their reversal. It also notes challenges in Pyla and urges cooperation with UNFICYP. The resolution extends UNFICYP's mandate until January 31, 2027, with the Security Council committing to closely monitor the situation in Cyprus and requesting reports from the Secretary-General in July 2026 and January 2027. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after Turkey's invasion and occupation of the northern part. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution has remained elusive. Recent efforts by the Secretary-General, including informal meetings and the involvement of Special Envoy Johannes Hahn, aim to facilitate a settlement process. Varosha, a fenced-off section of Famagusta, remains a point of contention, with UN resolutions calling for its administration to be transferred to the UN, prohibiting settlement by anyone other than its original inhabitants.