UN Secretary – General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and Head of the UN peacekeeping force on the island (UNFICYP) Khassim Diagne encouraged all those who call Cyprus home to look beyond the divisions of the past and focus on the possibilities of the future, in a statement, on Thursday, on the International Day of Peace on 21 September.

Diagne noted that the UN welcomes the continued engagement of Cypriot leaders, civil society, young people, women and communities across the island in efforts to advance peace and reconciliation, adding that they remain 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. In Cyprus, the pursuit of peace remains a shared responsibility. For more than six decades, UNFICYP has stood alongside the people of the island, helping to maintain stability, facilitate dialogue and support conditions conducive to a comprehensive settlement,” he noted.

He underlined that peace is a shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, cooperation and the belief that differences can be resolved through peaceful means.

“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,” Diagne said.

He also called on all to 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,” he said.