March 2024, Nicosia – In a moving ceremony on 4 March, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) unveiled a permanent monument dedicated to the service and sacrifice of all peacekeepers who have served on the island since 1964.
The unveiling was led by the Head of Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Colin Stewart, alongside the newly arrived Force Commander Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri and senior Mission management. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Major General Cheryl Pearce of Australia, former UNFICYP Force Commander, and Fiona McKergow, the Australian High Commissioner to Cyprus.
The event, which brought together veterans, serving personnel, and members of the diplomatic community at the historic Ledra Palace Hotel, served as a poignant reminder of UNFICYP’s 60-year commitment to peace on the island.
The monument stands as a solemn tribute to the more than 150,000 military, police, and civilian personnel from over 43 countries who have served with the Mission. Most significantly, it forever honours the memory of the 187 peacekeepers from 11 nations who made the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives in the service of peace in Cyprus.
The creation of the monument was a labour of dedication, spearheaded by UNFICYP’s own engineering team. Mr. Milan Kljajic, UNFICYP Senior Engineering Assistant, who was responsible for bringing the monument from concept to reality, reflected on the task:
“Designing and building this monument was a profound responsibility and a personal honor. Every measurement, every material chosen, was done with the utmost respect. We were not just constructing a stone and metal structure; we were creating a permanent home for memory, a place where the legacy of every peacekeeper who walked this island is set in stone. It is a lasting reminder for future generations of the cost of peace and the unwavering commitment of those who serve under the UN flag.”
The ceremony also featured words from veteran peacekeeper Pertti Torstila, whose experience reflects the lasting impact of service in Cyprus. “For me, the Cyprus assignment became a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a fond memory, and a matter of pride.”
Now open to the public, the monument is located outside the Ledra Palace Hotel, a location deeply symbolic in the history of the island’s division and the UN’s peacekeeping efforts. It stands as an enduring invitation for all who visit to pause, reflect, and pay their respects to the men and women who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of peace in Cyprus.
