News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

Peacekeepers from UNFICYP’s Force Protection Unit were awarded for their service for peace in Cyprus at a medal presentation parade in UN Headquarters in Nicosia today. Nineteen peacekeepers from the United Kingdom, Hungary, Slovakia and Argentina took part in the parade. The Force Commander of the…

Today, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) underwent a transfer of authority ceremony of Force Commander Major General Cheryl Pearce to the Mission’s Chief of Staff Colonel Neil Wright at the completion of her 2-year term. Major General Pearce of Australia took charge as…

Today, UNFICYP Civil Affairs Section facilitated an the first online NGO networking session of the year, which featured a discussion on Religion in Cyprus. The session was led by the Senior Research Consultant at the PRIO Cyprus Centre, Mr. Mete Hatay, and with 29 representatives from civil society…

Today, the top United Nations official in Cyprus, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, held bilateral meetings with the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Ersin Tatar, ahead of her briefing to the Security Council.

In October 2020, UNFICYP launched the first edition of Outloud, the Mission’s podcast to talk about its mandate as well as its initiatives on the island. In the December edition, we featured an interview with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission on the island…

Today, UNFICYP Civil Affairs Section hosted the second NGO networking meeting of the year. The virtual meeting had the participation of more than 20 civil society representatives from across the island and guest speakers from the British Council Cyprus and “QueensOfMoney”, a money management program…

In times of COVID-19, the challenges facing peacekeeping missions around the world have multiplied, the health crisis has highlighted the key role of our medical teams in ensuring peacekeepers remain safe and healthy while continuing mission operations across the buffer zone. Health professionals…

U.S. Embassy Cyprus, the Technical Committee on the Environment, and the United Nations in Cyprus (UNFICYP and OSASG-Cyprus) are extending and expanding the Youth Photo Contest in honor of World Water Day. The contest will now include submissions from participants as young as 15 years old, and will…

This year’s World Water Day, with the theme “Valuing water”, asks: What does water mean to me? The value of water is profound and complex. There is no aspect of sustainable development that does not fundamentally rely upon it. For me, water means protection. A well-managed water cycle – encompassing…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Major General Ingrid Gjerde of Norway as Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Major General Gjerde succeeds Major General Cheryl Pearce of Australia, to whom the Secretary…

From 12 to 16 April, UNFICYP is organizing a mental health awareness campaign to support its staff in coping with the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light. The campaign is focused on the general awareness of mental health issues and developing wellbeing and resilience. The campaign…

UNFICYP held a flag-raising ceremony for Finland this morning, an event that was dedicated to pay tribute to the country’s dedication and commitment to furthering the cause of peace in Cyprus. The Finnish Ambassador Harri Mäki-Reinikka was present, along with senior UNFICYP officials, including the…