Content_paragraphs:  The revitalization of the work of the technical committees and the increase in 
  
  their activities in the aftermath of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Cyprus, as outlined 
  
  in my previous report, slowed down in July. The summer break in Cyprus, followed 
  
  by a second wave of COVID-19 infections and corresponding restrictions in late 
  
  summer and autumn, as well as the lengthy electoral campaign in the north, decreased 
  
  the tempo of technical committee activities and the number of meetings and projects 
  
  implemented. While arrangements had been made available through my mission of 
  
  good offices to allow for safe in-person meetings of the technical committees, in line 
  
  with established preventive protocols, including through a donation earlier in the year 
  
  of personal protective equipment, technical committees continued almost exclusively 
  
  to hold meetings virtually. Several committees, including those on crossings, culture, 
  
  gender equality, humanitarian affairs and broadcasting, did not meet at all or met only 
  
  once at the level of the team leaders, while others, such as the Technical Committee 
  
  on Cultural Heritage, were more active, albeit not to the same degree recorded in my 
  
  previous report. Certain committees, however, including the Technical Committee on 
  
  Crime and Criminal Matters and its Joint Contact Room (also known as the Joint 
  
  Communications Room), carried out noteworthy activities, including those described 
  
  in my most recent report on UNFICYP.