History
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, UNFICYP, was established in March 1964 to prevent a recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. After the hostilities of 1974 its role grew to include supervising the ceasefire and maintaining the buffer zone that still divides the island, and the mission continues today, one of the longest running in United Nations history.
Australia's connection to Cyprus is long and distinctive: Australian police and military personnel served with UNFICYP from 1964 to 2021, the nation's longest continuous police peacekeeping commitment, and three Australian police officers lost their lives in the mission. The medal is awarded for three months' service, with a numeral for a further tour. As a foreign award it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the United Nations medals.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal follows the standard United Nations design: a circular bronze medallion 35 millimetres in diameter, the obverse bearing the emblem of the United Nations, a world map seen from the north pole within a wreath of olive branches, surmounted by the letters UN. The reverse carries the words IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE in relief. United Nations medals are issued unnamed, and the mission is identified by the colours of the ribbon.
The ribbon
White centre and UN blue sides, dark blue Mediterranean bands.
The ribbon has three equal bars, a white bar in the centre and a bar of United Nations blue at each side, the bars separated by two narrow bands of dark blue for the Mediterranean Sea.
Clasps
United Nations Number 1
A silver numeral worn on the ribbon of the medal. United Nations numerals record the number of qualifying periods of service completed with the mission.
United Nations Number 2
A silver numeral recording a second qualifying period of service with the mission.
United Nations Number 3
A silver numeral recording a third qualifying period of service with the mission.
United Nations Number 4
A silver numeral recording a fourth qualifying period of service with the mission.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for service with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
- Three months' service with the mission qualifies; Australian police and military served from 1964 to 2021;
- A numeral on the ribbon marks a further tour of the same mission;
- As a foreign award it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the United Nations medals.
Order of wear
United Nations medals are awarded by the United Nations and accepted and worn by Australians who served the mission. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn after Australian honours and campaign awards, among the foreign awards, in the sequence set for United Nations service, which generally follows the dates of the missions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UN Cyprus Medal awarded for?
Service with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, UNFICYP, established in 1964 to keep the peace between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
What is its Australian significance?
Australian police and military served with UNFICYP from 1964 to 2021, Australia's longest continuous police peacekeeping commitment; three Australian police officers died in the mission.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
A white centre and United Nations blue sides represent the United Nations, and two narrow dark blue bands represent the Mediterranean Sea.
What is the qualifying period?
Three months' service with the mission.
How is a further tour shown?
By a numeral attached to the ribbon.
Is it named to the recipient?
No; United Nations medals are issued unnamed.