The United Nations Secretary-General in his latest report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus calls on the leaders of the two communities to use the ‘current window of opportunity for making progress,’ stressing that it ‘should not be taken for granted”. Antonio Guterres says that the ‘intensification of dialogue’ between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders ‘remains positive,’ but warns that several agreed trust-building initiatives remain unimplemented and that, without progress, ‘a lasting solution may continue to be elusive”.
In his observations, the Secretary-General says the increased dialogue between Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman ‘demonstrates their commitment to building a relationship based on trust and to finding a path forward on the Cyprus issue.’ He adds that he is ‘encouraged’ by the agreement on a framework for establishing ‘a consultative body to engage with civil society on the peace process,’ calling it ‘an important step’ toward ‘a more inclusive peace process, where the public remains aware and engaged”.
At the same time, he notes that ‘several trust building initiatives that were agreed in March and July 2025 remain unimplemented,’ including ‘the opening of additional crossing points.’ Their implementation, he says, ‘would improve the daily lives of Cypriots’ and show concretely that the sides possess ‘the political will to make progress”.
The Secretary-General urges the leaders to continue their ‘constructive engagement’ with each other and with his Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, ‘with the aim of resuming negotiations that would lead to a lasting and comprehensive settlement.’ He calls on them to use the ‘current window of opportunity for making progress,’ stressing that it ‘should not be taken for granted”.
Both sides, he adds, should engage ‘with determination to construct a future together’ through an agreement that takes into account ‘the interests and rights of all Cypriots.’ He also echoes the Security Council in stressing the need for ‘openness, flexibility and compromise’ and for the parties to show ‘the necessary political will and commitment”.
Guterres further says that he counts on the continued support of the guarantor powers and the broader international community, including the European Union.
The report gives particular emphasis to the women, peace and security agenda and the youth, peace and security agenda. The Secretary-General says the involvement of women and underrepresented groups, including ‘religious minorities, young people and persons with disabilities,’ is ‘critical”.
He commends the two sides for maintaining gender parity within the technical committees and again calls on the leaders to implement the April 2022 Action Plan on women’s ‘full, equal and meaningful participation’ in the settlement process, so that any future peace agreement ‘equally benefits men and women”.
On the technical committees, the Secretary-General says they have ‘continued to build on their heightened importance,’ underlining the ‘added value of their work’ and their contribution to dialogue and peacebuilding. He welcomes the open day event that highlighted the ‘critical work of the technical committees,’ while calling on the leaders to support progress in ‘education, crisis management and the environment.’ He again stresses the importance of education to instill ‘reconciliation, forgiveness and cooperation’ among school-aged children and notes that sports, although still underexplored, have shown ‘a unique capacity to bring together individuals who might not otherwise interact”.
The report, however, also contains a clear warning on the security situation. The Secretary-General says he remains ‘deeply concerned over unilateral actions by both sides in and around the buffer zone’ and over the ‘lack of progress in taking de-escalatory steps.’ Such actions, he says, ‘undermine the military status quo of the area, the integrity of the buffer zone and the Security Council mandate’ and are ‘not conducive to the broader peace process”.
On Varosha, the Secretary-General reiterates that ‘the position of the United Nations on Varosha remains unchanged,’ including with respect to adherence to Security Council resolutions 550 and 789. He also urges the two leaders to consider ‘ways to move past the impasses’ around opening new crossings and calls on both sides to facilitate ‘the movement of people and goods through existing crossings”.
The report says the full benefits of the enlargement of the Agios Dometios/Metehan crossing point will depend on both sides ensuring adequate staffing for document checks and services, as agreed by the leaders on 11 December 2025. The Secretary-General also urges ‘the full implementation of the Green Line Regulation’ to help increase ‘intra-island trade and cooperation between the two communities”.
The Secretary-General welcomes the leaders’ agreement of 8 May to work on ‘an initial plan for the conduct of religious services.’ Religious leaders, he says, have in the past been ‘a powerful joint voice towards peace’ and in support of the dialogue between the two community leaders and the United Nations.
In the section on significant developments, the report says the Secretary-General continued his engagements toward ‘a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue,’ meeting separately with Mr. Christodoulides and Mr. Erhrman. It also says Ms. Holguín ‘intensified her efforts’ to support Cypriots ‘to find a way forward and reach a negotiated solution for the Cyprus issue.’ She visited Cyprus in January and June 2026, met separately with the two leaders and hosted a joint meeting on 28 January, strongly encouraging them to adopt measures that would ‘build trust and alleviate the daily lives of Cypriots”.
The Personal Envoy also held meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Greece, senior officials of the United Kingdom, officials of the European Union and senior officials of the United States Department of State. In her engagement with the EU, including with High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, she underlined ‘the need to involve young Cypriots in the dynamics and realities of the island’ and the importance of EU support to the Secretary-General’s efforts.
The report notes that the two leaders met bilaterally under UN auspices three additional times during the reporting period, continuing the ‘significantly higher meeting frequency’ that began after Mr. Erhrman took office. In addition, ’26 meetings of the representatives of the two leaders took place”.
Of the ten trust-building initiatives agreed in broader-format meetings in March and July 2025, the sides moved forward on a consultative body for civil society engagement, the rehabilitation of cemeteries and the establishment of a Technical Committee on Youth. However, there were ‘no significant developments’ on the opening of new crossing points, demining, the establishment of a solar plant in the buffer zone, the exchange of art and artifacts, or environmental initiatives.
The report also notes that the ‘precarious situation in the Middle East’ drew public attention, including because of the deployment of ‘significant foreign military assets in and around Cyprus,’ causing ‘some tension between the sides.’ It says the situation in the buffer zone remained fragile, ‘notably in the Pyla/Pile plateau,’ while the foot and mouth disease outbreak among livestock became ‘a major issue affecting both communities and bicommunal relations”.
During the reporting period, the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices promoted ‘intra-island contacts, cooperation and trust-building’ and held 128 meetings with representatives of the leaders, political parties, religious leaders, civil society organizations, women and youth, the European Union, the World Bank, the diplomatic community and visiting officials.
The technical committees were also active. The report says ‘174 meetings’ were convened across all 13 technical committees, with the most active being those on crossings, cultural heritage, culture, economic and commercial matters, health and youth.
The Technical Committee on Crossings marked the completion of the ‘long-awaited expansion’ of the Agios Dometios/Metehan crossing point, which added lanes, booths, a pedestrian path and space for solar-powered lighting and greenery.
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage advanced restoration and conservation activities for approximately 70 cemeteries, either completed, ongoing or under preparation. Its Digital Heritage initiative uses ‘3D reconstruction and virtual reality technologies’ to enhance access to cultural heritage and encourage youth participation and intergenerational learning.
The Technical Committee on Culture organized the exhibition ‘Through Ordinary Eyes,’ showing photographs of everyday life on both sides of the divide in Nicosia. The Technical Committee on Economic and Commercial Matters oversaw a pilot exchange of worn-out euro banknotes held in the north for new ones, totaling 2 million euros, and hosted the event ‘Connecting Businesswomen: Empowering Women, Creating Opportunities”.
The Technical Committee on Gender Equality resumed work in January 2026 after a pause in 2025. For International Women’s Day, it issued a joint statement and videos emphasizing that ‘women’s full and equal participation in public life and decision-making is vital for trust, strong institutions, and lasting peace”.
The Technical Committee on Health addressed patient cases and, through its Subcommittee on Veterinary Affairs, monitored the foot and mouth disease outbreak and helped ensure that EU-sourced livestock vaccines were available across the island.
The report also highlights the youth dimension. The Secretary-General notes that the increased visibility of the youth, peace and security agenda was ‘notable,’ making the current dialogue process ‘more inclusive and responsive to youth perspectives.’ The Technical Committee on Youth held an event on mental health and the challenges young people face across the island, visited EU institutions in Brussels, and raised ‘sport for peace’ in its discussions.
The Secretary-General closes by saying he remains committed to contact and dialogue with the sides and the guarantor powers, guided by the relevant Security Council resolutions.
‘I call upon them to continue to engage constructively in the ongoing efforts, fully recognizing the important role that they play in the Cyprus peace process’ he says.
While he is encouraged that some trust-building initiatives are being implemented, he stresses that they ‘cannot replace negotiations aimed at a comprehensive settlement.’ A lasting solution, he says, has the potential ‘to strengthen security, prosperity and development,’ allowing both communities to live together in ‘tolerance, solidarity and respect”.
‘My Personal Envoy and I will remain at the disposal of the parties’ he assures.