Nicosia, Cyprus. Former Greek Cypriot chief negotiator for the Cyprus problem Andreas Mavroyiannis was elected chairman of the United Nations’ International Law Commission on Monday. He will serve in the post until April next year.
Role and mandate of the commission
The International Law Commission is a body of experts tasked by the UN with developing and codifying international law. It comprises 34 members, who are elected for five-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
Election and diplomatic career
Mavroyiannis was initially elected to the commission in 2023. Prior to his election, he was a career diplomat, having served in the foreign ministry since 1987.
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During his time in the foreign ministry, he served as Cyprus’ ambassador to the UN between 2008 and 2008, before later serving as the island’s ambassador to the European Union between 2008 and 2011. He then served as European affairs deputy minister under late president Demetris Christofias between 2011 and 2013, before being named as his successor Nicos Anastasiades’ chief negotiator for the Cyprus problem.
Cyprus talks and later work
He was chief negotiator during the last round of formal negotiations aimed at solving the Cyprus problem, which took place at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in 2017. He later returned to the role of ambassador to the UN between 2019 and 2021.
2023 presidential election
In 2023, he ran for president, winning the endorsement of Akel. He finished second behind Nikos Christodoulides, winning 48 per cent of the vote in the election’s second round.
What do you think Mavroyiannis’ chairmanship could mean for the work of the International Law Commission?
