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The Mission’s responsibilities expanded in 1974, following a coup d’etat by elements favouring union with Greece and a subsequent" /> <link rel="canonical" href="http://unficyp.unmissions.org/about" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="http://unficyp.unmissions.org/node/100036700" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="UNFICYP" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="http://unficyp.unmissions.org/about" /> <meta property="og:title" content="About" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Go to bottom UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN Peacekeeping missions. It was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions. The Mission’s responsibilities expanded in 1974, following a coup d’etat by elements favouring union with Greece and a subsequent military intervention by Türkiye, whose troops established control over the northern part of the island." /> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2023-12-18T10:38:49+02:00" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2014-05-07T17:01:13+03:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2023-12-18T10:38:49+02:00" /> <title>About | UNFICYP</title> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width"> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"> <meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on"> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/advagg_css/css__wKo9ZMQ2kRrBC_hh8uNz3BracXXv1Zf3aaCdKvfA4kM__KKB-qhholWMiBejZTFOfGDpdHzf02r3K638vdD9VRqs__DsFMx7CgIT41X7IhHADsw3jU3c3L88etxqm9XTNnVwo.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/advagg_css/css__IPayDKzJ--n9GFWvR1cMQBeRPMAkLwKH_gSep5O9cEs__jTDkZ0l8Wc8QAj-HluPkpClNFwHk-2nzJSD6yLtHDzo__DsFMx7CgIT41X7IhHADsw3jU3c3L88etxqm9XTNnVwo.css" media="all" /> <script src="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__gTGOlXWl0QvZU0ssK-0MuSGXATfmOcjE6qmkIglLHls__2YujpmtfV0cviqjpUJ84wujhW7ha_JqiXl85CalCQYI__DsFMx7CgIT41X7IhHADsw3jU3c3L88etxqm9XTNnVwo.js"></script> <script src="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/all/libraries/mediaelement/build/mediaelement-and-player.min.js?v=4"></script> <script src="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__L2BPs6Kan4jUcEIJrwri3877tnm8uq9Qv-o3wYGUAF0__Qfc75knUOwchz1fF3S7YCx5OOSm7uC7EPGQTLXFx-nc__DsFMx7CgIT41X7IhHADsw3jU3c3L88etxqm9XTNnVwo.js"></script> <script async="async" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Z8SHPB3NBY"></script> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)};gtag("js", new Date());gtag("set", "developer_id.dMDhkMT", true);gtag("config", "G-Z8SHPB3NBY", {"groups":"default"});</script> <script src="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__8BxP0IJitArt8y2oos1nq-i6a17n-KlaEdULcMV97v8__8OYI27A9RGBwVs_pyrCfC2Q0Hw0EEYzZxktO5lH1OZA__DsFMx7CgIT41X7IhHADsw3jU3c3L88etxqm9XTNnVwo.js"></script> <script>var _paq = _paq || [];(function(){var u=(("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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role="main"> <a id="main-content"></a> <h1 class="page__title title" id="page-title">About</h1> <div id="block-views-sliders-view-node-slider" class="block block-views first odd"> <div class="box-wrapper"> <div class="view view-sliders-view view-id-sliders_view view-display-id-node_slider slider-home view-dom-id-7d7d465820131fb17521c1717a68c5c6"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="skin-default"> <div id="views_slideshow_cycle_main_sliders_view-node_slider_1" class="views_slideshow_cycle_main views_slideshow_main"><div id="views_slideshow_cycle_teaser_section_sliders_view-node_slider_1" class="views-slideshow-cycle-main-frame views_slideshow_cycle_teaser_section"> <div id="views_slideshow_cycle_div_sliders_view-node_slider_1_0" class="views-slideshow-cycle-main-frame-row views_slideshow_cycle_slide views_slideshow_slide views-row-1 views-row-first views-row-odd" > <div class="views-slideshow-cycle-main-frame-row-item views-row views-row-0 views-row-odd views-row-first"> <div class="field-image"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image/public/field/image/web3_0.jpg?itok=9Ieczkmg" width="1200" height="695" alt="" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <article class="node-100036700 node node-page view-mode-full clearfix" about="/about" typeof="foaf:Document"> <header> <span property="dc:title" content="About" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span> </header> <div class="field-body"> <p><a href="#anchorname">Go to bottom</a></p> <p>UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN Peacekeeping missions. It was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions.</p> <p>The Mission’s responsibilities expanded in 1974, following a coup d’etat by elements favouring union with Greece and a subsequent military intervention by Türkiye, whose troops established control over the northern part of the island.</p> <p>Since a de facto ceasefire in August 1974, UNFICYP has supervised the ceasefire lines; provided humanitarian assistance; and maintained a buffer zone between the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces in the north and the Greek Cypriot forces in the south. UNFICYP’s Chief of Mission also serves as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and in that capacity leads efforts to assist the parties in reaching a comprehensive settlement.</p> <p>The ceasefire lines extend over 180 kilometres across the island. In the absence of a formal ceasefire agreement, UNFICYP’s 800-plus troops and 60-plus police officers deal with hundreds of incidents each year.</p> <p>UNFICYP also delivers humanitarian aid to Greek Cypriots and a small Maronite community living in the northern part of the island and it assists Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part of the island.</p> <p>UNFICYP supports the fullest possible resumption of normal civilian activity in the buffer zone, keeping in mind that this is still an area under permanent armed watch by military on both sides. To this end, it facilitates the resumption of farming in the buffer zone where safe, and assists both communities on matters related to the supply of electricity and water across the lines.</p> <p>The Mission is currently headed by Colin Stewart of Canada, who is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission. </p> <p>The Mission’s work is based on four components that work together closely: the military, UN Police (UNPOL), the Civil Affairs Branch and Administration, which supports all activities. The Mission counts almost 1100 personnel. Since 1964, 187 UN personnel have lost their lives while serving in UNFICYP.</p> <p>The Security Council established UNFICYP through resolution 186 (1964) on 4 March 1964 and has renewed the Mission’s mandate for six-month terms since then. Since 2023, the Mission's mandate is renewed on a yearly basis. </p> <p>Attempts to solve the Cyprus conflict and reunify the island have so far been without result, although relations between north and south have improved over the years. Among other things, this led to the opening of several crossing points across the buffer zone, most notably across Ledra Street in old Nicosia on 3 April 2008.</p> <div id="il_title"> <h1>UNFICYP Budget</h1> </div> <div id="il_text"> <div>The UNFICYP approved budget for the period of<span><span> 2023-2024 is USD 56,225,300.</span></span></div> <div>Originally, UNFICYP was supported entirely by voluntary contributions. This resulted in a shortfall, which prompted the UN General Assembly in 1993 (resolution 47/236) to decree that henceforth the costs not covered by voluntary contributions should be borne by Member States in accordance with Article 17 of the UN Charter.</div> <div>Today, one-third of UNFICYP’s budget is financed by the Government of Cyprus, while the Government of Greece contributes $6.5 million annually. The rest is financed from contributions assessed on the entire membership of the United Nations, as decreed in 1993.</div> </div> <p> </p> <p><iframe frameborder="0" height="413" scrolling="no" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/136556551@N06/player" width="100%"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <div id="anchorname"> </div> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="field-video-page"> <div class="embedded-video"> <div class="player"> <iframe class="" width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UyqMSjf5D6Q?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <div class="after-article"> </div> </article> <div id="block-share-buttons-block-share-buttons-block-block" class="block block-share-buttons-block last odd"> <div class="box-wrapper"> <div class="block-social-buttons"> <a title="Print" class="button-print" href="/en/print/about" rel="nofollow" > <i class="fa fa-print"></i> <span>Print</span> </a> <a title="Email" class="button-email" href="mailto:?subject=About&body=http%3A%2F%2Funficyp.unmissions.org%2Fabout%0A%0AGo to bottom UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN Peacekeeping missions. It was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions." rel="nofollow" > <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> <span>Email</span> </a> <a title="Twitter" class="button-twitter" href="https://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Funficyp.unmissions.org%2Fabout&text=About" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" onclick="javascript:window.open(this.href, '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=400,width=700');return false;" > <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> <span>Twitter</span> </a> <a title="Facebook" class="button-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Funficyp.unmissions.org%2Fabout" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" onclick="javascript:window.open(this.href, '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=500,width=700');return false;" > <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> <span>Facebook</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <section class="region region-sidebar-second column sidebar"> <div id="block-block-30" class="block block-block first last odd"> <h2 class="block__title block-title">Viber</h2> <div class="box-wrapper"> <p><a href="//unficyp.unmissions.org/join-us-viber-community"><img alt="" src="//unficyp.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/viber_twitter.png" /></a></p> </div> </div> </section> </div> <footer id="footer" class="page"> <div id="footer-area"> <div class="column column-1">Copyright © 2025 United Nations</div> <div class="column column-2"> <div class="region region-footer-first"> <div id="block-menu-menu-footer-links-center" class="block block-menu first last odd" role="navigation"> <div class="box-wrapper"> <ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="//www.un.org/en/sections/about-website/z-site-index/" class="menu__link">A to Z Site Index</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/sitemap" title="" class="menu__link">Sitemap</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/contact" class="menu__link">Contact us</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/copyright/" class="menu__link">Copyright</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/terms/" class="menu__link">Terms of use</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/privacy/" class="menu__link">Privacy notice</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/fraudalert/" class="menu__link">Fraud alert</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-3"> <div class="region region-footer-second"> <div id="block-menu-menu-second-footer-menu" class="block block-menu first last odd" role="navigation"> <div class="box-wrapper"> <ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first last leaf subscribe-btn"><a href="/subscribe" class="menu__link">Subscribe</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="column column-4"> <div class="region region-footer-third"> <div id="block-multiblock-1" class="block block-multiblock block-on-the-web block-on-the-web-0-instance first last odd"> <div class="box-wrapper"> <span class="on-the-web otw-twitter otw-0"><a href="https://twitter.com/UN_CYPRUS" title="Find UNFICYP on Twitter" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i><span class="sr-only">Find UNFICYP on Twitter</span></a></span><span class="on-the-web otw-facebook otw-1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UNFICYP/" title="Find UNFICYP on Facebook" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-facebook"></i><span class="sr-only">Find UNFICYP on Facebook</span></a></span><span class="on-the-web otw-youtube otw-2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UnficypMedia" title="Find UNFICYP on YouTube" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-youtube"></i><span class="sr-only">Find UNFICYP on YouTube</span></a></span><span class="on-the-web otw-flickr otw-3"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/189538279@N06/" title="Find UNFICYP on Flickr" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-flickr"></i><span class="sr-only">Find UNFICYP on Flickr</span></a></span><span class="on-the-web otw-instagram otw-4"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/un.cyprus/" title="Find UNFICYP on Instagram" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-instagram"></i><span class="sr-only">Find UNFICYP on Instagram</span></a></span><span class="on-the-web otw-soundcloud otw-5"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-323635215" title="Find UNFICYP on Soundcloud" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-soundcloud"></i><span class="sr-only">Find UNFICYP on Soundcloud</span></a></span><span class="on-the-web otw-rss otw-6"><a href="/rss.xml" title="UNFICYP RSS feed" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-rss"></i><span class="sr-only">UNFICYP RSS feed</span></a></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </body> </html>