FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE— The United Nations is implementing a 20% budget cut due to ongoing liquidity issues, significantly impacting its Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, reports in the Turkish Cypriot media claim.
The office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus is expected to reduce staff by 30%, with seven of the current 20 employees set to depart.
The cuts are likely to complicate the work of the incoming Special Representative, whose appointment is expected later this month.
According to a report in Kibris, a UN source in Cyprus described the situation as “tragic,” noting that the mission’s budget has been slashed by 70% through August.
“We’re struggling to cover basic utilities like electricity and water,” the source said.
“We’re still expected to consult with Cypriot leaders and the three guarantor powers, but we don’t know what will happen to the 13 technical committees working on intercommunal issues.”
Each committee is typically supported by a dedicated staff member, though some require coordinators depending on the dynamics between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot participants.
A Greek Cypriot diplomat said the UN’s financial crisis is severe but has not yet affected the peacekeeping force, whose $55 million annual budget is largely funded by Greece and the Republic of Cyprus.
The Turkish side does not contribute financially.
Observers expect a sharp decline in diplomatic engagement, confidence-building efforts, and support for bi-communal initiatives in the coming months.
A scaled-down Good Offices Mission could signal waning UN interest in Cyprus, with potential implications for future negotiations.