The Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Centre (CPDC), in collaboration with its partner organisation, the International Communities Organisation (ICO), showcased their unique peace-building model during a three-day series of high-level meetings following the UN General Assembly in New York City, from October 1 to 3, 2024.
Dr. Meltem Onurkan Samani, founder and general coordinator of the Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Center (CPDC), concluded a series of high-level discussions in New York, strengthening efforts toward resolving the Cyprus issue. Following her return to Cyprus, Dr. Onurkan Samani emphasised the critical role of civil society in advancing peace-building initiatives.
Addressing the Cyprus Problem during her visit to New York from October 1-3, 2024, Dr. Onurkan Samani delivered a keynote speech and participated in a roundtable discussion at Columbia University with MA students from the Conflict Resolution Collective. Her engagements centred on public diplomacy, international lobbying, and the ongoing bi-communal efforts to foster a peace culture in Cyprus.
Among her high-level discussions, Dr. Onurkan-Samani met with Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav JENCA, Under-Secretary-General Guy RYDER, and Bob RAE, President of ECOSOC from Canada. Additionally, she visited Turkish Cypriot Permanent Representative Mehmet DANA at his office.
In addition to formal meetings, Dr. Onurkan Samani conducted an informal technical session with Kaisa Lejestrom-Filgueiras, Political Affairs Officer, further delving into the evolving negotiation processes.
During her stay, Dr. Onurkan-Samani also met socially with former Special Representatives of the UNSG in Cyprus, Liza Buttenheim, currently Assistant Secretary-General for Operational Support, and Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support. These meetings highlighted the importance of continued international collaboration on peace-building efforts in Cyprus.
During these meetings, Dr. Onurkan Samani presented her perspectives on the critical role of civil society, particularly the engagement of women and youth, in sustaining hope for a peaceful resolution. She stressed the need to adapt the negotiation methodology, ensuring leaders can overcome the final hurdles toward a comprehensive settlement. These discussions explored feasible modifications to the current approach, including the use of incentives, consequences, and innovative strategies to promote a results-oriented framework with transparency and inclusivity.
Dr. Onurkan Samani also presented CPDC’s work, as previously noted in the latest UNSG report on the good offices mission in Cyprus to the Security Council, dated July 5, 2024. CPDC’s collaboration with broader civil society initiatives contributes to alternative modalities for the peace process, such as the C-UP project, which seeks to establish a deliberative civic assembly model to transform the peace process by increasing inclusivity and broadening public dialogue.
A key outcome of CPDC’s efforts was the public Joint Declaration with Apofasi Irinis (Determination for Peace) on March 18, 2024. The declaration emphasised that future negotiations must adopt a different approach, recognising that the current design of the negotiation process has not led to success and that a rethinking of how we move forward is essential.
"As a diverse group of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, we firmly believe that a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem is not just a goal but an urgent necessity for the future of our island,” said Dr. Onurkan Samani. “It is only through courageous political leadership and inclusive dialogue that we can achieve lasting peace and make Cyprus a model of justice and coexistence for the region.”
UN Women - Empowering Women in Peacebuilding
In her capacity as the founding coordinator of the Cyprus Women’s Bicommunal Committee (CWBC), Dr. Onurkan Samani held several key meetings with UN Women officials, including Paivi Kannisto, Chief of Peace, Security, and Resilience. She also met with Mediation Lead Lister Chapela, Security Council Lead Pablo Castillo, and Merly Christina Barlaan, Chief Administrative Officer of the Women's Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI).
Discussions focused on the vital role of women in peace-building and the need for global solidarity among women’s organisations to promote peace at local, regional, and international levels.
Recognition of Peacebuilding Efforts
The deliberations during Dr. Onurkan Samani’s visit underscored the international recognition of Cyprus’s peacebuilding efforts. The exchanges with global stakeholders reflect the growing importance of civil society in shaping a peaceful and just future for Cyprus.
“Our collaboration with the International Communities Organisation has been instrumental in showcasing the potential for a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus problem. Through innovative dialogue and inclusive initiatives, we are committed to building bridges between our communities and fostering a culture of peace. We believe that working together can pave the way for a united Cyprus that embraces diversity and promotes harmony for all its citizens.” – Dr Meltem Onurkan Samani, founder and general coordinator of CPDC.
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