S/PV.8063 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Colombia to participate in the meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/801, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Colombia, and document S/2017/830, which contains a letter dated 2 October 2017 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. Following consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on their behalf: “Following the completion of the 12-month mandate of the United Nations Mission in Colombia (the Mission) on 25 September 2017, the Security Council welcomes the remarkable achievements in Colombia following the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a stable and Long Lasting Peace reached between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — People’s Army (FARC-EP). “The Security Council takes note of the report of the Secretary-General of 25 September (S/2017/801) and welcomes the assessments, recommendations and lessons learned therein. The Security Council expresses its intention to take them into account in the context of its ongoing efforts to enhance the overall effectiveness of United Nations missions. “The Security Council recalls resolutions 2261 (2016) and 2307 (2016) and congratulates the parties on the historic. progress made since the signing of the Final Agreement, including the culmination of the ceasefire, the cessation of hostilities, the process of laying down of arms and the transformation of the FARC-EP into a political party, bringing over five decades of conflict between them to a close. The Council pays tribute to the political will of the parties in achieving these milestones and to the leadership and spirit of cooperation they demonstrated in calling for the United Nations to partner with them in an innovative tripartite monitoring and verification mechanism (MVM). The Security Council emphasizes that their determination and commitment have ensured that Colombia’s peace process continues to be a source of inspiration for the resolution of conflicts globally and retains the potential to set an example for peace processes elsewhere in the world. “The Security Council expresses its gratitude for the exemplary manner in which the Mission, led by Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Jean Arnault, accomplished the two tasks mandated to it by the Security Council, based upon the agreement by the parties, in having coordinated the MVM for the monitoring and verification of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and overseen the laying down of arms process. The Security Council underscores that this work played a vital role in supporting the successful implementation of the corresponding provisions in the peace agreement. The Council welcomes the Mission’s work with the MVM to promote a gender-sensitive approach. The Council expresses its appreciation to the Mission for delivering the swift, flexible and tailored support envisaged by the Council and demonstrating the potential of the United Nations at its best. “The Security Council also expresses its gratitude to the observer-contributing countries, particularly those from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The Council also acknowledges the two guarantors of the peace process, Cuba and Norway, and the two accompanying countries, Chile and Venezuela. “The Security Council notes the equally important work still ahead to implement the specific security, political and socioeconomic provisions of the Final Peace Agreement and reaffirms the need for both parties to fulfil their commitments to achieve a lasting peace. In that regard, the Council recalls resolutions 2366 (2017) and 2377(2017) which established and mandated the United Nations Verification Mission to verify implementation by the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP of the process of political, economic and social reincorporation of the FARC-EP and the implementation of personal and collective security guarantees. The Council trusts that the work of the Verification Mission will be a strong source of support and encouragement for Colombia’s peace process.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2017/18. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/837, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2381 (2017). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

We meet today, just days after the first-ever bilateral ceasefire between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN). For the first time in over half a century, the guns between those two once-warring sides have fallen silent. That creates yet another historic opportunity for peace for the people of Colombia. It is testament to our unity of purpose on that issue that, in the brief time that has elapsed, the Council has come together to adopt resolution 2381 (2017), authorizing the United Nations Verification Mission to support the monitoring of that ceasefire. In doing so, the Council has once again shown that it is ready to respond swiftly, positively and unanimously in support of peace in Colombia. As the penholder on the resolution, I want to offer my thanks to all Council members for their support in making it possible. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his recommendations, which outlined an effective and appropriate response to the ceasefire through the existing Verification Mission. I am also grateful to Special Representative Arnault and his staff for their quick work after the announcement on 4 September and during a complex phase of transition for the Verification Mission. We know that this is just the start and we recognize the challenges faced by the parties just to reach this crucial point after months of talks in Quito. if that peace is to be built and sustained, all of their efforts will need to continue. Both parties share a responsibility for ensuring that the ceasefire improves the safety and security of all Colombians. It is vital that they seize the opportunity that this ceasefire presents. We may not see another opportunity like it for both sides to work towards a lasting peace. Therefore, let us do all we can to support the Government of Colombia and the ELN in that effort. We can be proud today that the United Nations has been able to respond positively to the request of the parties. Through this adoption, we have again shown that the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, stand ready to support Colombia on the journey towards peace.

We welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017) this afternoon. We commend the strong commitment of the parties in Colombia to peace. It is important that the Council stand with them. The United Nations Mission in Colombia has played an important role in supporting the peace process. We would like to thank the Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jean Arnault for their excellent work. We would also like to thank the Special Representative for the efforts of the Mission on the inclusion and participation of women and we trust that this will be continued in the second mission. We are happy to see that the Security Council could once again show its unity and strong support for the peace process in Colombia by quickly adopting a resolution that approves the recommendations of the Secretary-General to verify the ceasefire between the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) — a ceasefire that once again shows the commitment of Colombia to moving forward, building on the momentum of last year. We want to praise the courage and leadership of the Colombian Government in that regard. In our discussions as a Council, we repeatedly say that mandates must be clear, realistic and up to date, and that we must allocate the necessary resources for missions to deliver on those mandates. In this instance, that means making sure that the mandate to verify the ceasefire agreement with the ELN is realistic, including with regard to allocating the right resources. It also means making sure that the United Nations Verification Mission can live up to the mandate to carry out the additional task of verifying the ELN ceasefire agreement without affecting the implementation of its previously mandated tasks under resolution 2366 (2017). We look forward to the Secretary-General’s report, expected on 8 December, which will give us the opportunity to review the situation in order to ensure that the resource allocation is realistic and that the mandate is up to date.

Allow me to begin by expressing Uruguay’s renewed delight regarding the extraordinary progress of the peace process in Colombia. We are strongly welcome the temporary national bilateral ceasefire that was announced on 4 September by the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), and its entry into force from 1 October 2017 to 9 January 2018. We received and took very seriously the joint request of both parties in their Joint Communiqué of 29 September for the United Nations to participate as international coordinator in a monitoring and verification mechanism made up of representatives of the Government of Colombia, the Ejército de Liberación Nacional and the Catholic Church aimed at ensuring compliance with the temporary bilateral ceasefire. In that regard, Uruguay welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017), endorsing the recommendations made by the Secretary-General in his letter dated 2 October (S/2017/830) and which will allow the United Nations Verfication Mission in Colombia to carry out the tasks requested by the parties. To conclude, we would like to express the firm commitment of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to ensuring lasting peace in our brotherly country Colombia.

The Russian delegation supported the adoption of the resolution 2381 (2017), expanding the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. The mission will now provide assistance in monitoring compliance with the temporary ceasefire agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional. In addition to the achievements of the peace process with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, we hope that this ceasefire will complete the final solution to the lengthy internal conflict and achieve domestic peace in Colombia. We value the support of the guarantors in this process: Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Norway and Venezuela. We expect that the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional will meet their obligations in good faith and that the Verification Mission will provide the necessary assistance to that end. We believe that expanding the mandate of the Mission by increasing its staff by 70 international observers and setting up an additional 33 posts is fully in line with the expectations of Colombia. As to the Verification Mission, it has become an excellent tradition to develop the mandate of the Mission in close coordination with the Colombians themselves. Today’s consensus vote clearly demonstrates that the Security Council is ready to provide constant support for the good faith of the two parties. We are convinced that the national ownership of the peace process by the Colombians is the main reason for these positive developments and the best guarantee for lasting peace and further developments. That is the most important lesson both for States that are experiencing a difficult chapter in their history and for the members of the Security Council in considering the most complicated situations on our agenda.

China welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 overseeing the ceasefire between the Colombian Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN). Recently, the Colombian Government and the ELN reached a temporary ceasefire agreement, which representss major progress in the Colombian peace process. China congratulates and commends all parties for their efforts, including the Colombian Government. Since the Colombian Government reached the ceasefire agreement and the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia last year, the Colombian peace process has continued to experience new progress, resulting in positive momentum in support of the dialogue for peace between the Colombian Government and the ELN, which has created conditions conducive to the early realization of comprehensive sustainable peace and stability in Colombia. The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia started its work officially not long ago, and the adoption of resolution 2381 (2017) further strengthens its mandate. The Verification Mission, while advancing the implementation of the peace agreement, will oversee the ceasefire between the Colombian Government and the ELN. China hopes that the Secretariat will finalize its preparation work as soon as possible. In helping the Verification Mission to successfully carry out its mandate, we also hope that on the basis of respect for sovereignty, independence and the territorial integrity of Colombia, the Mission will strengthen communications with the Colombian Government and conduct good internal coordination work, while ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the mandate so as to provide constructive help to the greater outcome of the peace process in Colombia.

After 52 years of armed struggle, the United States welcomes the historic ceasefire between the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army. We congratulate the parties on their commitment to pursuing the sustained and lasting peace that the people of Colombia deserve. We want to recognize the role of the Catholic church and Ecuador, in particular, for the special role that they have played and continue to play in brokering a longer- term peace. Through resolution 2381 (2017), we join other members of the Council in supporting the work of the United Nations Verification Mission in monitoring the ceasefire, which will help build confidence between the parties and prevent a return to armed conflict. We commend the Mission for drawing on its existing staff, logistics and resources to take on this temporary additional task while carrying out its mandate to verify the political, economic and social reintegration of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. As the parties work to consolidate the security gains from the ceasefire, we recognize the work has just begun and that there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but we look forward to hearing the Secretary- General’s update on the progress and implementation of the ceasefire in the coming weeks. With our vote today, the United States is proud to stand with Colombia as it continues on the path to a more comprehensive peace.

Italy welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017) extending the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to include monitoring the temporary bilateral ceasefire between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN). We also commend the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2017/18. on the conclusion of the mandate of the first United Nations mission in Colombia. The swiftness and flexibility with the Council has responded to the parties’s requests demonstrate yet again the determined support of the United Nations to the peace process. Italy. as a member of the group countries providing support and cooperation to the negotiations in Quito, welcomes the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement with the ELN, which bears witness to the parties’ commitment to the search for a sustainable political solution to the conflict and the shared priority objective of protecting civilians. We encourage them to remain on this path with courage and resolve, and we join in the appeal made by the Pope during his visit to Colombia in early September. We also support the essential implementation of measures on security reintegration provided for by the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia — Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), and their verification pursuant to the mandate of the second mission of the United Nations. The peace process made historic progress last year, but there are now major challenges in its implementation phase. The United Nations can play a key role — the first mission, which recently concluded its work, bore witness to that — and will continue to support the efforts of the Government and the FARC-EP through the Verification Mission. The clarity of its mandate and its presence on the ground near the communities most affected by the conflict, and now exposed to the fragility of the transition, leave no doubt in this regard. However, the commitment and determination of the parties involved is the primary condition for the success of this process so that its scope and potential for regeneration can offer all Colombians new opportunities to participate in the political, social and economic life of the country. To conclude, I wish to renew our appreciation for the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and his team, and for the unity and effectiveness of the Security Council’s work, to which Italy has had the honour of contributing.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017), authorizing the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to begin the tasks assigned to the monitoring and verification mechanism, which will primarily verify the achievement of the historic bilateral, temporary national ceasefire agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional. We thank the United Kingdom for its work and the way it conducted negotiations on the resolution. We are also grateful to all members of the Security Council for their support to this process and their commitment to resolving the last armed conflict in our region. We praise the leadership of the Government of Colombia and the decisiveness of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional in establishing the first bilateral ceasefire in this conflict, which is the result of recent progress in Colombia’s peace process. Similarly, I thank all Council members for committing to and supporting a process to resolve the longest-running armed conflict in my region. We commend the Government of Colombia on its leadership and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional on its decision to broker the first bilateral ceasefire in the conflict. We believe that it is the result of the recent progress Colombia has made in the peace process. We trust that both parties have taken the necessary steps to make the process irreversible. Although we acknowledge the differences between this peace process and the process with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo, we have no doubt that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jean Arnault, and his entire team will continue to work just as hard as they have been working since they embarked on the path in 2016.

Ukraine reiterates its full support of Colombia’s efforts in the implementation of the final peace agreement, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. We welcome the completion of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Colombia on 25 September, as was stated in the presidential statement S/PRST/2017/18, just adopted. We welcome the official beginning of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, the second United Nations special political mission to support the Colombian peace process. We are also proud to note that, through its Mission in Colombia, the United Nations has contributed to the successful implementation of the crucial agreements on the ceasefire and the laying down of arms. I wish we had more people like that at the United Nations. That is why we believe that the United Nations should carefully study the lessons learned in Colombia and apply such best practices in other parts of the world. We welcome the temporary national bilateral ceasefire announced between the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, and welcome resolution 2381 (2017), which supports that positive development. I would also like to express our appreciation to the British delegation for its leadership and hard work in preparing the draft resolution and presidential statement, which led to their successful adoption. Finally, the Security Council should continue to provide the support required to advance peace, human rights and development for all citizens in Colombia.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. France welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017) and the endorsement of the Secretary-General’s recommendations on United Nations support for the Mission tasked with verifying the temporary ceasefire between the Ejército de Liberación Nacional and the Colombian Government. In that regard, we thank the British penholder for its efforts. We welcome, in particular the responsiveness of the United Nations and its readiness to assist the parties in the negotiations process. In one month, the Secretary-General and his team, in particular his Special Representative, Mr. Jean Arnault, have managed to submit proposals that would provide a swift and effective response to the request for support to uphold the temporary ceasefire. After the successful disarmament and political transition of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), we hope that the Ejército de Liberación Nacional will take part in the peace process to end the conflict with the Colombian Government. The ceasefire and all commitments arising from it spark considerable hope for the current talks under way in Quito. The peace process conducted with the FARC demonstrates that the decades-long violence is not inevitable. We call upon all parties involved in the negotiations to respect their commitments, including those not covered by the United Nations Mission.The United Nations, along with the Catholic Church, will attempt to strengthen the climate of trust. Nonetheless, success depends, above all, on the political will demonstrated by the parties. France will continue to support United Nations action in Colombia — a great and friendly nation on a historic path of courage and determination. In recent years, the country has shown that conflict is not inevitable. The will of the parties could reverse the course of history. By supporting the peace process, the United Nations was able to fulfil its mission of maintaining international peace and security. The will of the parties and the support of the United Nations have made the peace process in Colombia a source of inspiration for us all. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on steering the work of the Security Council this month and for convening today’s meeting. I would also like to congratulate the members of the Security Council on their vote of confidence in Colombia and in its efforts to build peace, through their unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017), authorizing the United Nations Mission in Colombia to monitor and verify the temporary national bilateral ceasefire with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, for a period of 101 days. I would also like to thank the members of the Security Council for the statement adopted on their behalf, as it recognizes the historic progress that we have made. It is a tribute not only to the Government of Colombia, the parties, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, but to the Colombian people, who acknowledge that they wish to rewrite the pages of history. We would like to, and we can, reverse the course of history as you, Sir, have just stated. I would like to thank the United Kingdom for its invaluable efforts as penholder of resolution 2381 (2017). Its ongoing support was key to the Council’s agility. It helped us to provide a very swift response to the needs expressed by the parties — through the Government and the Catholic Church, which we thank — by tabling today’s resolution in a time frame that shows that the Security Council has flexible mechanisms through which the specific duties of a second special political mission could be assigned. That mission began on 26 September. We believe that the ceasefire was a historic undertaking for the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, a guerilla organization, which has never in its 53 years — as it is older than the FARC- EP — signed a bilateral ceasefire. We believe that this bodes well for the future. In conclusion, I would like to make two points. First, I would like to highlight the teamwork undertaken with Mr. Jeffrey Feltman and the Department of Political Affairs, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jean Arnault, which made a significant contribution to the process. He is now tasked with maintaining a gender perspective in the forces and the group of observers assisting us, and the vision for the region. The way in which the region united to support the two missions was remarkable. The region also stands with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional to foster dialogue in Havana and Quito, and by providing support with troops, civilian observers and unarmed soldiers. It will also be providing civilian observers for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. Secondly, on behalf of the Government and people of Colombia, I would like to thank the parties involved in this endeavour and for the vote of confidence in us, which we hope to repay through a successful conclusion of the peace process and the 101-day bilateral ceasefire.