As we mark the International Day of Peace on 21 September, we are reminded that peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is a shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, cooperation and the belief that differences can be resolved through peaceful means.
This year's global theme, “Invest in Peace,” calls on us to recognize that peace requires sustained effort, resources and collective will.
In Cyprus, the pursuit of peace remains a shared responsibility. For more than six decades, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has stood alongside the people of the island, helping to maintain stability, facilitate dialogue and support conditions conducive to a comprehensive settlement.
The International Day of Peace offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, acknowledge remaining challenges and renew our commitment to a peaceful future for all Cypriots.
Investing in peace means investing in dialogue, trust and understanding. Every act of cooperation and every effort to bridge divides contributes to a culture of peace.
The United Nations welcomes the continued engagement of Cypriot leaders, civil society, young people, women and communities across the island in efforts to advance peace and reconciliation.
On this International Day of Peace, I encourage all those who call Cyprus home to look beyond the divisions of the past and focus on the possibilities of the future.
The United Nations remains committed to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Cyprus. UNFICYP will continue to carry out its mandate in the service of peace and the people of the island.
Let us use this day to reaffirm our shared hope for a Cyprus where dialogue prevails over division, cooperation over confrontation, and peace becomes a lasting reality for generations to come.
Peace is possible. Let us invest in it together.