Press Releases

Faced with increasing difficulties to locate additional human remains, the CMP urgently needs to broaden efforts to obtain information that may lead to the discovery of burial sites. This includes the review of archival material of international organizations, state actors and domestic authorities…

Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and work of a legend who embodied the highest values of the United Nations. Madiba was a model global citizen whose example continues to guide us in our work to build a better world for all. Today, we remember a man of quiet…

Nicosia, 13 th June 2016 – The new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Elizabeth Spehar, has arrived in Cyprus to formally assume her duties. Ms. Spehar will also act as the Deputy to the Secretary-General’s…

“The current political situation in Cyprus creates many obstacles to the exercise of cultural rights”, said United Nations human rights expert Karima Bennoune at the end of her first fact-finding mission to Cyprus. The UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, who visited the country…

The confidence that the world places in United Nations peacekeeping is reflected in its massive growth in recent years, in terms of both numbers and complexity. Fifteen years ago, the UN had fewer than 40,000 military and police personnel. Today, more than 105,000 uniformed personnel from 124 troop-…

Human rights, democratic societies and sustainable development depend on the free flow of information. And the right to information depends on press freedom. Each year, we observe World Press Freedom Day to emphasize these fundamental principles, to protect the independence of the media and to…

Mine action is critical for an effective humanitarian response in conflict and post-conflict situations. This is a central message of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Yet in far too many places around the world, new or reemerging conflicts are creating yet…

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Spehar of Canada as his new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Ms. Spehar will also perform the function of Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special…

The Gender Equality Technical Committee (GETC) on the occasion of the International Women’s Day joins in celebration with millions of women around the globe who have been struggling across time and space against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, marginalization, violence and for equal rights…

Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the United Nations efforts to reach an agreement on the Cyprus issue and acknowledged the role of religious leaders of Cyprus in the reconciliation process at the Parliamentary debate on Foreign Affairs 2016 in the Swedish Parliament this…