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Source: United Nations (video statements)

Press Conference by António Guterres UN Secretary General following his meeting with Leaders Cyprus.

On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, hosted the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhüman, at his Good Offices Mission inside the UN Protected Area.

TRANSCRIPT:

Good afternoon to all of you, distinguished members of the media.
I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for the warm welcome I have received from all Cypriots during my first visit here.

Cyprus is an island of remarkable history, rich culture, and enduring resilience.

It is also a place where the beauty and potential of the present co-exist with the scars of a painful past.

During my visit, I have seen both.

But, above all, I have witnessed a deep desire among Cypriots to build a more peaceful and shared future.

As Secretary-General, from the earliest days of my mandate, acting in line with the United Nations parameters, I have sought, through my good offices, to assist Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to reach a comprehensive, sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue.

The United Nations has consistently worked toward this objective.

We met in Geneva and in Crans Montana in 2017, in Berlin in 2019, in Geneva in 2021, and again in New York and Geneva in 2024 and 2025.

In this context, it was my duty to come to Cyprus to express my full solidarity with the people of Cyprus in their quest for a solution.

This is the moment when all efforts must be made to rebuild trust.

To that end, it is essential to redouble efforts to define and implement confidence-building measures that can make a difference in the daily lives of all Cypriots.

I appeal to the two leaders to intensify these efforts.

My Personal Envoy, Ms. Maria Angela Holguin, has been working with the parties – building on past UN efforts – and what she has heard directly from Cypriots themselves.

Throughout this visit, I have also had the opportunity to hear from many Cypriots.

Their message was clear.

They want progress.

They want to see their leaders make compromises and to walk that last mile towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue.

They want a future in which this island is defined not by division, but by cooperation, opportunity, and peace.

That was also the spirit of my frank and constructive discussions with the two leaders, both separately and together.
Both Mr. Erhürman and Mr. Christodoulides assured me of their determination to continue to work in earnest with my Personal Envoy.

Based on our discussions on the way forward, I decided that I would convene another 5+1 meeting, after adequate preparations on confidence building, methodology and substance, taking into account the convergences already achieved.

We will work in consultation with the two sides and the guarantors, to create the conditions for the meeting’s success.

In relation to the situation on the ground, I would like to emphasize the need to respect the mandated authority of the UN peacekeeping operation in Cyprus – UNFICYP – both in the buffer zone and the UN-delineated ceasefire lines.

For more than six decades, UNFICYP has helped maintain calm and stability in a sensitive environment.

Its continued effectiveness depends on the cooperation of all sides.

I was impressed by the work of the Committee on Missing Persons and the remarkable bi-communal efforts to respond to the anxiety of the families of all missing persons.

I was equally impressed by the work of the bicommunal Technical Committees, that are bridging the gap between the political track and everyday citizens, and finding practical solutions.

And I had the opportunity to engage constructively with members of the civil society.

The international communityalso has an important role to play on the Cyprus issue.

In particular, I count on the continued support of the three guarantors – Greece, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.

Finally, I wish to once again recognize the significant contributions of the staff of UNFICYP and my Mission of Good Offices.

They are all playing critical roles in advancing peace and stability and the prospects of a peaceful solution.

I was pleased to convey my gratitude to them in person during my stay here.

The United Nations cannot impose peace. But let me be very clear: the United Nations remains fully committed to supporting the people of Cyprus in this crucial moment for the island and the wider region.

Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTbh74eksh4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Briefing by Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

“During my recent visit, I witnessed immense hardship amid continued displacement, overcrowded living conditions, widespread destruction, and near-daily casualties caused by ongoing Israeli military operations,” the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said.

“The situation in Gaza has improved somewhat – but progress is far too slow,” he said. “Recent weeks have seen some welcome progress in clearing solid waste from key areas and coordinating the entry of desperately needed sanitation equipment and supplies.”

“These are relevant steps, but they remain highly insufficient in the face of the immense needs on the ground,” he continued. Citing the latest Integrated Phase Classification report, Alakbarov noted improvements in food security and nutrition in Gaza but cautioned that “the situation remains highly fragile, and most families across the Strip are still relying on humanitarian assistance as their only lifeline.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LailXcjHjsY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations brought together AI thought leaders in Mexico City on 23–24 July for the second convening in a global dialogue series examining how one of humanity’s most transformative technologies is reshaping human progress.

Convened under the leadership of United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, the gathering is organized by the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), in collaboration with the Government of Mexico and builds on the inaugural convening held in Cairo in June 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QfdxFrTOSc

Source: United Nations (video statements)

@unitednations

Growing up in rural South Africa, Tshilidzi Marwala first learned about engineering from his grandmother’s handmade clay pots. Now rector of the United Nations University, the Under-Secretary-General is a vocal advocate of using artificial intelligence (AI) for good.

“I would not trust AI. You are not supposed to trust AI. You are supposed to use it, always doubt it, always verify what it tells you, cross validate, so that you can be able to use it responsibly.”

Education has been a driving force throughout Tshilidzi Marwala’s life, alongside the seismic transitions he has witnessed in his native country and around the world. “We [returned to South Africa just after the end of apartheid] and then we realized that freedom is beautiful… Democracy is a beautiful concept, but it’s a very difficult journey. It’s not an overnight thing.”

With a doctorate in neural networks among his many academic achievements, the UNU rector is familiar with the architecture behind the current rapid developments in AI. In this episode, he reflects on the intersection of political freedom, education and technology, and shares why digital literacy is among the most important skills of our age.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jr-SG4ij3uU

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In an address to the UN Security Council, Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, warned that ‘the situation in the West Bank is rapidly deteriorating,’ compounding ‘alarming conditions’ across the rest of OPT.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WZq7UJlyrWU

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq,

Deputy Spokesman for Secretary-general António Guterres.

Highlights:

– Secretary-General/Cyprus
– Refugee Convention
– Security Council
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– UN Relief and Works Agency
– Lebanon
– Sudan
– Afghanistan
– World Heritage Sites
– Trafficking Victims
– World Hepatitis Day

SECRETARY-GENERAL/CYPRUS

The Secretary-General is currently in Cyprus. His visit comes as part of his good offices mission and to show his strong commitment to the Cyprus issue.

Earlier today, he met separately with Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, Leader of the Greek Cypriot Community, and with Mr. Tufan Erhürman, Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community. Following his meetings, the Secretary-General emphasized that this is a visit of solidarity with the people of Cyprus and that he will do everything he can to support the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in this very important moment.

The Secretary-General held a number of meetings today, including the co-chairs of the Technical Committees and civil society representatives. The Secretary-General also visited the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, which is the island’s oldest bi-communal institution, as well as the Committee’s Anthropological Laboratory.

The Secretary-General visited the UN Buffer Zone, where he laid a wreath at the permanent monument dedicated to the service and sacrifice of all the peacekeepers who have served on the island since 1964. The monument honours the memory of the 187 peacekeepers from 11 countries who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace in Cyprus. He then toured the Buffer Zone.

Later today, the Secretary-General will have a joint dinner with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders. He will continue his engagements in Cyprus tomorrow.

REFUGEE CONVENTION

Today is the 75th anniversary of the entry into force of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and the Secretary-General said that the Convention has saved millions of lives and stands among the clearest expressions of our common humanity.

Today, he warned, that promise is under strain. Conflicts are multiplying, persecution persists, and growing numbers are forced to flee. Meanwhile, the right to seek asylum is too often questioned, restricted, or denied.

The Refugee Convention is not a relic of another era, Mr. Guterres said.  It remains as necessary today as when it was adopted. It is not an obstacle to be circumvented, but a foundation to be upheld – through access to protection, fair and humane asylum procedures, and full respect for the principle of non-refoulement, all without discrimination.

It also means rejecting policies that externalize protection responsibilities, or penalize people for seeking safety, or make protection conditional on nationality, religion, ethnicity, or route of arrival.

He calls on every Member State to renew its commitment to the letter and spirit of the Convention, and to choose solidarity over indifference, and humanity over fear.

Also, on the anniversary of the Refugee Convention, 75 leading figures from across society have today joined the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in launching, The Promise, a global statement of solidarity with refugees.

Convened by UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, the initiative aims to build a global coalition in support of refugee protection at a time when the international system faces growing challenges. Among the signatories are actor-filmmakers Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie and Ben Stiller; Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Malala Yousafzai, Nadia Murad and others. Their participation reflects broad support from across society for protecting the right to seek asylum and standing in solidarity with refugees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2mfFcAMk-M