Nicosia, 3 February – The United Nations Good Offices Mission and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) jointly hosted a special briefing for a delegation of Ukrainian youth, underscoring the vital role of young leaders in international peace and security.
The delegation included students from the Institute of International Relations of the National University of Kyiv named after Taras Shevchenko, alongside representatives from the Youth Council under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Serhii Nizhynskyi, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Cyprus also attended the session.
UN officials provided an overview of the Cyprus peace process and the ongoing work of the two Missions in supporting dialogue, stability, and confidence-building across the island. The discussion focused on the practical challenges and diplomatic efforts involved in sustaining a peace process.
A central theme of the exchange was the imperative to include youth and civil society perspectives in peacemaking and peacebuilding. The dialogue highlighted how young leaders can contribute fresh ideas, drive social cohesion, and help build sustainable futures for their communities.
“Dialogue with emerging leaders is essential for the work of the United Nations,” said Sergiy Illarionov, the UN Good Offices Coordinator. “We were inspired by the insightful engagement from our Ukrainian guests and their deep commitment to the principles of diplomacy and conflict resolution. Such exchanges reinforce our shared belief that inclusive participation is the cornerstone of lasting peace.”
The visit reflects the United Nations’ commitment to fostering international understanding and sharing lessons learned from different peace processes around the world.
