The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the UNFICYP for another year, until 31 January 2026. Negotiations on the draft resolution proceeded smoothly, reflecting the Council’s broad support for the work of UNFICYP. The resolution also reaffirms the UN’s commitment to a comprehensive and just solution to the Cyprus.

The United Kingdom, which had the role of drafting the Resolution circulated the draft resolution to Security Council members on 17 January, and after several consultations and revisions, the final text passed the “silence procedure” on 29 January and was tabled on 30 January.

The resolution retains the core mandate and tasks of UNFICYP as set out in last year’s Resolution 2723 (30 January 2024), with some modifications based on recent developments.

“Urges both sides and all parties involved to take steps to de-escalate tensions in and around the buffer zone and to refrain from actions that are not conducive to the broader peace process, and stressing the importance of respecting the integrity and inviolability of the buffer zone and emphasizing the importance of refraining from actions that undermine UNFICYP’s mandated authority there,. It recalls its presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/13) and all relevant resolutions and presidential statements on the Varosha,” it said.

Main Points of the Resolution

Reaffirmation of the UN’s Role in the Cyprus Resolution Process

– Supports the role of the UN Secretary General and his Good Offices in facilitating the negotiations

– Recognises that the resolution of the Cyprus problem is primarily up to the Cypriots themselves, but stresses the supporting role of the UN.

– Welcomes the positive steps taken by the leaders of the two sides, Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar, including the informal meetings on 15 October 2024 and 20 January 2025, where they discussed the opening of new crossing points.

– He urges both sides to approach the negotiations with an open mind, flexibility and willingness to compromise in order to restart the formal talks.

“The assessment notes the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative and Deputy Special Adviser for Cyprus, Mr. Collins Stewart, and his Personal Envoy, Ms. Maria Angela Olgin Quayar, for her efforts from January to July 2024. He welcomes the fact that the two leaders agreed on a number of constructive next steps at the informal dinner convened by the Secretary-General on 15 October 2024, welcomes the subsequent meeting of the two leaders on 20 January 2025 under the auspices of the Special Representative and Deputy Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus to explore the possibility of opening new crossing points and the decision to meet again in the near future, and encourages further progress on this issue, and welcomes the Secretary-General’s plans to convene an informal broader meeting with both sides and the guarantor powers to discuss the way forward, encourages further rounds of informal talks, and stresses the importance of the sides and all participants involved approaching this process with openness, flexibility and prudence,” it said.

2. Militarization of the Dead Zone

Council members expressed concerns about the increase in military activities in the Dead Zone.

– Reaffirms support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as set out in resolution 716 (1991).

– Warns that the status quo is not sustainable and the absence of an agreement intensifies political tensions and the risk of irreversible changes on the island.

– Condemns military violations in the Dead Zone, including the installation of military surveillance systems without authorization from both sides.

Demands full respect for UNFICYP’s mandate and freedom of movement throughout Cyprus.

“Condemns the ongoing violations of the military status quo along the ceasefire lines, the reported incursion by both sides into the buffer zone and the dangers associated with it, the challenges to the demarcation of the buffer zone by the mission, the ongoing reported military violations, the reported increase in the number of unauthorized structures and the deployment of military surveillance systems along the buffer zone, as described in paragraphs 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and 31 of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/6), which pose significant challenges to UNFICYP operations and its delegated authority. It calls on the sides and all parties involved to respect UNFICYP’s mandated authority over the buffer zone and its demarcation and to refrain from unilateral actions in violation of it, notes that the Security Council recognizes UNFICYP’s demarcation of the buffer zone.”

3. The Question of the Varosha

– It recalls UN resolutions, including 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), which call for the Varosha to remain under UN administration.

– Condemns the announcement by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot authorities on 20 July 2021 of the further opening of Varosha and demands the immediate reversal of all actions from October 2020.

– It warns that any unilateral action in Varosha may trigger a reaction from the Security Council.

4. Question of the Gate

– Expresses concern about the ongoing security problems in Pyla.

– Welcomes the expansion of the Joint Contact Center in the area for better coordination.

Calls for implementation of the October 2023 agreement, which has been inactive for over a year.

“Stresses the importance of confidence-building measures and their timely implementation, and strongly encouraging the sides to continue to cooperate with each other in this regard, including consideration of new military confidence-building measures,

Stresses that the Council continues to closely monitor developments in Pyla since August 2023, underlines the need to avoid any unilateral actions by either party that could increase tensions on the island and damage prospects for a settlement, and encourages further efforts to promote a conducive climate with a view to returning to formal negotiations for a lasting settlement in Cyprus, welcomes the engagement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General with all means

5. Humanitarian issues

– Commends the ongoing work of the Committee on Missing Persons and calls on all parties to enhance their cooperation with the work of the Committee, in particular by providing full access without delay to all sites and responding in a timely manner to requests for archival information on possible burial sites.

– Acknowledges the difficulties encountered by UNFICYP in managing the 142 asylum seekers trapped in the buffer zone from May to November 2024.

– Welcomes the cooperation of the Greek Cypriot authorities with UNHCR, which fully resolved the issue on 14 November 2024.

-Encourage further actions to reduce the socio-economic gap between the two communities.

6. Promoting Inter-Community Contacts

– Encourages increased inter-community contacts, trade and reconciliation to build confidence.

– Encourages new confidence-building measures, including military de-escalation and enhanced economic cooperation.

– Stresses the need for youth participation in the peace process, in line with Resolution 2250 of 2015.

“Urges the sides to intensify their efforts to promote inter-community contacts, intra-island trade, reconciliation and the active engagement of civil society, in particular women and youth, recognizing that regular, effective contact and communication between the sides enhances the prospects for settlement and is in the interest of all Cypriots.”

7. Involvement of Women and Civil Society

– Reaffirms the need for equal participation of women in the peace process, as provided for in Resolution 1325 of 2000.

– Calls for at least 30% women to be included in future negotiating teams.

– Calls for the strengthening of the Technical Committee on Gender Equality.

8. Security and Military Cooperation

– Calls for the establishment of direct military channels of communication to avoid crises.

– Supports the denuclearization of Cyprus and the immediate clearance of all dangerous areas.

– Condemns the attacks on the UN peacekeeping forces.

9. Renewal of the mandate of UNFICYP

– Extends the mandate of UNFICYP until 31 January 2026.

– Requests a review of the effectiveness of the mission on a regular basis.

Welcomes the continued financial support of UNFICYP by Cyprus and Greece

“Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1251 (1999), and recalls the importance of achieving a lasting, comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, including paragraph 4 of resolution 716 (1991)” it reads.

10. Future monitoring

– Requests the UN Secretary-General to submit two reports (4 July 2025 and 5 January 2026) on progress in the negotiations.

– Requests Cypriot leaders to submit written updates every six months.

The resolution reaffirms the role of UNFICYP in maintaining stability in Cyprus, welcomes the diplomatic initiatives and urges new negotiations under the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

“Welcomes the promotion of peaceful neighbourly relations in the Eastern Mediterranean and reiterates that disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean should be resolved peacefully in accordance with applicable international law, remains convinced of the many important benefits, including economic benefits, for all Cypriots and the wider region that would result from a comprehensive and viable settlement.