Yesterday, the Secretary-General's Good Offices mission welcomed friends, colleagues and peers to an end of year reception in the Ledra Palace Hotel.

Yesterday was also the International Human Rights Day which this year focused on the role of the youth. In her address, DSASG Elizabeth Spehar echoed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ words, “I call on everyone to support and protect young people who are standing up for human rights.” She also reminded that the Secretary-General and the Security Council have consistently called on the sides to increase the involvement of youth, as well as women, in the peace process.

She also recalled that on 25 November, the two leaders met jointly with the Secretary-General for the first time in 27 months. She said that this meeting underscored the continued commitment of the United Nations at the highest level to support the two sides in their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus issue.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019