The United Nations Secretary-General recommends the renewal of UNFICYP mandate for a further 12 months, until 31 January 2027, while expressing in his Report on UNFICYP strong concern over in and around the buffer zone and also reiterates his concern regarding the situation in the fenced-off area of Varosha.
Guterres identifies a new, albeit ‘cautious’, momentum in the Cyprus peace process in his Observations on the situation in Cyprus, noting that the assumption of office by the new Turkish Cypriot leader and increased engagement between the two leaders have ‘rekindled a new hope for a window of opportunity to advance the Cyprus issue’.
He also says that he is encouraged by the fact that over the past year ‘no serious incidents occurred within the buffer zone’ and that the sides ‘exercised restraint from major unilateral actions’.
Despite this improved atmosphere, the Secretary-General records a lack of substantive progress on de-escalation, stressing that ‘no progress has been made in reversing the growing military build-up along the ceasefire lines”.
He expresses strong concern over ‘violations following the construction of military installations’ in and around the buffer zone, which, he warns, ‘seek to permanently alter the military status quo’.
During the reporting period, there was a slight slowdown in the installation of surveillance systems in the buffer zone, as projects on both sides near completion. Nevertheless, UNFICYP continues to regard these developments as a serious concern due to their potentially destabilizing effect. The National Guard marginally increased the number of surveillance devices, while Turkish Forces proceeded with additional towers and sensors, alongside other unauthorized constructions recorded during the period.
The report also highlights with particular concern the practice of ‘deliberately blurring the distinction between military and civilian,’ including the concealment of military positions within civilian structures, which the Secretary-General says ‘raises serious concerns’.
UNFICYP continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining stability. Guterres underlines that the Mission ‘plays an essential role in de-escalating low-level tensions and preserving the integrity of the buffer zone,’ while cautioning that its effectiveness remains constrained ‘without the full cooperation of both sides.’ He recalls that it is incumbent upon the parties to ‘respect the integrity of the buffer zone and prevent unauthorized military and civilian activities’.
The Secretary-General also delivers a negative assessment of the continued stalemate over the Pyla plateau, noting that the ‘continued suspension of the implementation of the agreement does not contribute to stability,’ and calling on the sides to work with UNFICYP ‘to find a way forward that leads to progress’.
Particular emphasis is placed on unilateral actions that risk reigniting tensions. Guterres reiterates his ‘concern regarding the situation in the fenced-off area of Varosha’ and the ‘lack of response to the Security Council’s call to reverse actions’ taken since the 2020 opening, stressing that the UN position under resolutions 550 and 789 ‘remains unchanged.’ He also condemns restrictions imposed on UNFICYP’s freedom of movement in Varosha, Strovilia, and elsewhere.
In light of UNFICYP’s ‘continued contribution to peace and stability,’ the Secretary-General recommends that the Security Council renews the Mission’s mandate for a further 12 months, until 31 January 2027. He also expresses his appreciation to his new Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP, Khassim Diagne, for his ‘dedicated leadership,’ and thanks all Mission personnel for their ‘steadfast commitment to peace on the island’.
The Report in detail
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The Secretary-General’s report on the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), covering the period from 12 June to 15 December 2025, records a marked increase in political engagement alongside the persistence of troubling trends of militarization in and around the buffer zone.
The Report reflects, on the one hand, enhanced dialogue and new confidence-building measures and, on the other, continuing military violations, restrictions on the Mission’s freedom of movement, and serious repercussions stemming from the United Nations’ fiscal crisis.
On the political front, the report notes an ‘intensification of dialogue within the peace process.’ In July 2025, the Secretary-General convened an informal expanded meeting in New York with the participation of the two leaders and the guarantor powers Greece, Trkiye, and the United Kingdom. The sides reviewed six confidence-building initiatives agreed in March, including the establishment of a Technical Committee on Youth, environmental and climate action, cemetery restoration, the opening of four crossing points, demining, and the use of solar energy in the buffer zone. Four additional initiatives were agreed, including the creation of a civil society advisory body and air-quality monitoring.
The assumption of office by the new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman, on 24 October 2025, following elections on 19 October, is described as a key development. His subsequent meetings with President Nikos Christodoulides in November and December, under UN auspices, are cited as evidence of enhanced leadership engagement.
Operationally, UNFICYP maintained a robust presence in the buffer zone, conducting ‘more than 15,000 military and police ground patrols,’ alongside aerial patrols, to monitor the ceasefire lines and preserve the military status quo. The Mission also continued to manage civilian activities in the buffer zone and facilitate intercommunal contact.
However, the report stresses that UNFICYP operated under significant constraints due to the ongoing UN liquidity crisis. Emergency measures included a reduction of 60 military personnel, a freeze on the deployment of five police posts, and 13 vacant civilian positions. As a result, only 20 per cent of planned helicopter patrols were conducted between September and November, while ‘intercommunal confidence-building programmes were delayed or cancelled,’ with October seeing a ’57 per cent decrease in intercommunal activities’ compared with 2024.
On security, the report documents the continuation of military violations by both sides. By 30 November 2025, a total of 146 violations had been recorded, 112 attributed to Turkish Forces and 34 to the National Guard. Of particular concern is what the report describes as ‘deliberate and long-term military investment along the buffer zone,’ including surveillance towers and camera systems, assessed as having a ‘potentially destabilizing effect’.
A slight slowdown was observed during the reporting period in the installation of military-type surveillance systems (camera/sensor towers) along the buffer zone, possibly due to the near completion of the works by both sides. Nevertheless, these systems continue to be a major concern for UNFICYP because of their potentially destabilizing impact.
By 30 November, the National Guard had added three new camera/sensor devices, bringing the total to 28 devices installed on 34 surveillance towers. Turkish Forces constructed two new surveillance towers and installed six additional devices, bringing the total to 64 towers and 66 devices. During the current reporting period, other types of unauthorized constructions were also observed.
The situation on the Pyla plateau is described as ‘stable,’ with a second consecutive reporting period showing a reduction in Turkish Cypriot police entries. Nonetheless, the implementation of the agreement on arrangements in the area, suspended since November 2023, ‘remains a challenge without an agreed way forward’.
In Varosha, the report notes that ‘no measures were taken’ to reverse actions undertaken since 2020, as requested by the Security Council. UNFICYP recorded renovation works, increased visitor numbers, and continuing military violations, while its access to the area remains ‘significantly restricted.’ The United Nations, the report reiterates, ‘continues to consider the Government of Trkiye responsible for the situation in Varosha’.
In the intercommunal sphere, UNFICYP facilitated 163 activities, including 30 intercommunal events involving nearly 3,000 participants. Youth-focused initiatives, cultural cooperation, and local entrepreneurship feature prominently, while increased intercommunal engagement in Pyla is described as ‘an encouraging sign of renewed cooperation’.
The report also addresses humanitarian issues, religious facilitation, education for enclaved communities, and movement through crossing points, while noting a decline in asylum applications in 2025 and progress in clearing backlogs.
Significant attention is devoted to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), which since 2006 has recovered or identified the remains of 1,713 individuals. On 7 July 2025, the CMP launched its new strategy for 2025-2030 at a public event attended by family associations from both communities and members of the diplomatic corps. On 11 December, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders visited the CMP’s anthropological laboratory, expressing appreciation for its humanitarian work and underscoring the need to keep it free from political interference, while appealing for information on possible burial sites under strict confidentiality.
UNFICYP continued to enforce the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. In close coordination with the Regional Conduct and Discipline Team based at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the Mission implemented preventive, enforcement, and remedial actions in response to cases of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, fraud, and prohibited workplace practices. No allegations of sexual exploitation or abuse were received during the reporting period. One allegation of sexual harassment and four cases of possible unsatisfactory conduct were recorded and are under investigation.