The United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres announced the appointment of Colin Stewart of Canada as his new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). A press release issued by the UN said Stewart will also perform the role of Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.He succeeds Elizabeth Spehar of Canada to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her strong leadership and dedication over the course of her tenure, the UN added. Stewart’s appointment comes following a meeting Guterres between Guterres and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in New York on September 27.


According to the UN, Stewart, who most recently served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) (2017-2021), brings a demonstrated record of leadership and management, with over 28 years of experience in peace and security and international affairs.He previously served as Deputy Head and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and held appointments in several United Nations field missions, including as Acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Political Affairs at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) (2007 to 2009).

Stewart is a graduate of Laval University in Canada and is fluent in English and French.