S/PV.9749 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Colombia to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Luis Gilberto Murillo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia; and Ms. Beatriz Helena Quintero García, co-founder, Red Nacional de Mujeres. 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/2024/694, the report of the Secretary- General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. I now give the floor to Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu.

I am grateful for this opportunity to update the Council on the latest developments regarding the implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and other efforts to consolidate peace in Colombia. (spoke in Spanish) It is an honour for me to be accompanied once again by Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo. We thank the Government of Colombia, through him, for its invaluable support and collaboration with the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. I would also like to acknowledge the presence, in Colombia’s delegation, of the Minister of the Interior, Juan Fernando Cristo, who has important new responsibilities in advancing the implementation of the peace agreement. I also greet High Commissioner for Peace Otty Patiño, who is leading the various dialogue tables within the “total peace” policy. I am also pleased to see Diego Tovar again in the Chamber, representing the other signatory party to the Agreement, in a clear demonstration of the strength of this process, where former adversaries now work as partners in the construction of peace in Colombia. I also welcome Beatriz Quintero García, founder of the Red Nacional de Mujeres of Colombia. She and her organization have played a critical role in promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding efforts, including the design of the upcoming national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. (spoke in English) The current Administration is the third to shoulder the responsibility for the implementation of the peace agreement. With two years remaining in its term, and as its eighth anniversary approaches next month, historic progress has been made. But much more remains to be done. I am pleased therefore to report that since the Security Council last convened on Colombia in July (see S/PV.9683), with the participation of President Petro Urrego, we have seen follow-through on steps announced at that time that signal an important recentring of the peace agreement at the heart of the peace policy of the Government. The rapid response plan  — or plan de choque  — being developed by the Minister of the Interior, with inputs from the Comunes party, local authorities and communities in conflict-affected regions, is a new instrument that should serve to energize implementation. I had the honour to join the Minister on several of his visits to those regions, including Cauca and Putumayo, where I heard the urgent plea by those communities for development projects, public investment and services. I greatly appreciate those and other opportunities afforded to the Mission to support this process and to offer recommendations on how and where to focus efforts that could inject renewed momentum. I welcome initial indications that the plan will focus strongly on promoting rural reform in order to transform conflict- affected regions, as well as on strengthening security guarantees. I welcome the fact that Council members will have the opportunity today to hear directly from the Government about the scope of the plan and its expected impact on the ground. The peace architecture established under the Final Agreement, especially the Commission for the Follow-Up, Promotion and Verification of the Final Agreement, has a key role to play in any successful effort to accelerate its implementation. The recent joint meeting of the National Commission on Security Guarantees and the High-level Unit of the Comprehensive Security System for the Exercise of Politics, chaired by President Petro Urrego, led to important decisions on the roll-out of the policy on the dismantling of illegal armed groups and criminal organizations. Those include the identification of several priority regions where insecurity is acute, and where that policy can help to bring about improvements in the situation. As reflected in the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/694), we remain encouraged by the Government’s commitment to advancing the rural reform chapter of the Agreement — provisions that have a transformative potential, attacking structural causes of the conflict, but the implementation of which had lagged in previous years. Day by day, for example, more land is being distributed and formalized for those in need, bringing the promised benefits of peace to landless peasants and those dispossessed of it during the conflict. However, despite that and other welcome progress towards the transformation of the territories, the results to date, as recognized by the Government itself, are still modest in relation to the overarching goals established under the peace agreement. I am also concerned about reports that peasant organizations working to advance rural reform have been receiving threats from illegal armed groups in different regions of the country. Much more also must be done to advance the ethnic chapter of the Agreement, designed to bring the benefits of peace to Afro-Colombians and Indigenous communities, to redress the disproportionate impact of the conflict on them and to ensure their participation. Whereas progress has remained limited overall, I hope that the promulgation last week of a decree to strengthen the ability of Vice-President Francia Márquez Mina to carry out her leading role in guiding that key area of the Agreement will contribute to more tangible progress. It was not preordained that Colombia’s peace process would set a global standard for the inclusion of women in a peace process and for the incorporation of specific gender-related provisions in a peace agreement. That only happened because Colombian women’s leaders such as Beatriz Quintero García, who is with us today, organized and demanded that it be so. I greatly value my regular meetings with those leaders and organizations and the engagement with them by the Mission throughout its work. I assure members of the Council that women’s voices continue to be heard very strongly as they advocate for greater progress overall, in the implementation of the gender provisions of the Agreement, and the effective inclusion of women in the newer dialogue processes under way. Regarding transitional justice, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace continues to take forward its pioneering work, which is so central to the transition from war to peace. The country remains expectant as to the coming stages of the process, especially the issuance of its first sentences to those responsible for serious crimes. The success of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will lie in achieving a delicate balance between multiple elements, which include the rights of the victims and the legal security of those under its jurisdiction, as well as the rigour and celerity with which it will be able to proceed and dispatch justice. The Government also bears an important responsibility to ensure that all necessary conditions are in place for the practical implementation of the sentences, once issued. Amid continued debate, at times public, over aspects of its proceedings, constructive dialogue between the various stakeholders remains paramount, along with respect for its autonomy and independence. The Mission remains available to all concerned to continue to facilitate such dialogue. Across all areas of the peace agreement, adequate financing is a basic condition for consolidating and expanding upon progress. I am concerned in that regard that resources for peace priorities could be affected by general fiscal constraints that appear to be looming over the budget for the Government for the year ahead. With understanding, but also a conviction that peace cannot be shortchanged, I trust that every effort will be made despite those limitations to ensure that critical resources for peace implementation are protected in the national budget. And I call on the international community to continue to fill critical gaps with its continued assistance. (spoke in Spanish) The complex security situation in several regions of the country continues to be one of the major obstacles to peacebuilding. In some territories, signatories to the Agreement and social leaders continue to be the target of violence, pressure and threats from armed actors fighting for territorial control and strategic routes linked to illicit economies. Since the beginning of the reintegration process, five former territorial areas for training and reintegration have had to be relocated for those reasons, the last one being the emblematic Miravalle area in the department of Caquetá. The difficult situation in some areas continues to affect the lives of communities that are caught in the crossfire and subjected to condemnable phenomena such as the recruitment of minors, displacement and confinement. Also of concern are the new phenomena of social control, particularly over women and girls. I heard painful testimonies of women even being told how to dress or what colour to paint their nails. The complexity and fluidity of the conflict dynamics in various regions and the insecurity it produces for the populations affected require a comprehensive and complementary approach. On the one hand, it is necessary to advance in the effective implementation of the security guarantee provisions of the Final Agreement and, on the other hand, to follow up on the measures agreed at the various peace talks aimed at reducing violence and protecting the civilian population. At the same time, it is important to reduce violence between illegal armed actors for the ultimate benefit of communities. Likewise, effective implementation of security policies is complementary to dialogue initiatives, as part of a greater presence of the State — in all its dimensions — in the regions most affected. (spoke in English) Despite a series of challenges, the Government is persisting in its efforts to broaden the scope of peace through various dialogue initiatives. The state of the dialogues, and the good offices provided by myself and my team to those processes with groups of a political nature, are presented in the most recent report of the Secretary-General. Of the utmost concern has been the months-long stalemate in the talks between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, leading to the expiration of the bilateral ceasefire in August. Sadly, since the parties returned to armed confrontation, there has been a doubling of the numbers of deaths and wounded persons on both sides compared to the entire year during which the ceasefire was in effect. Amid mutual recriminations, trust, unfortunately, has been lost. I am encouraged, nevertheless, by the statements by both parties a few days ago expressing their willingness to meet to examine ways to overcome the current deadlock. I trust that the parties will use that opportunity to begin to regain momentum in a process that had advanced promisingly before the latest impasse. It is our hope also that the parties will resume negotiations and re-establish and strengthen their ceasefire in order to save lives, rebuild confidence at the peace table and enable the implementation of other areas of progress such as the agreement on the participation of society in the peace process. It will be important for the Verification Mission to retain its readiness in that context, as we continue to keep the Council informed of developments. We also continue, through good offices, to accompany dialogue initiatives with the two armed groups deriving from the former Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). We welcome the announcement made by the peace commissioner of the expected extension, as of tomorrow, for six additional months, of the bilateral ceasefire with the structures of the group known as the Estado Mayor Central FARC-EP. We hope that that will save lives and bring relief to communities, and that the parties will make progress at the negotiation table. We look forward to progress with regards to the dialogue process to be held between the Government and the group known as Segunda Marquetalia, as the parties are planning for a second round of talks soon. Our call to all the armed actors is to demonstrate a sincere commitment to peace by taking measures to protect civilians, foremost among which is to cease recruiting minors. It is also of the utmost importance to the viability of current and future peace processes that they respect the lives and the rights of former combatants and their families currently reintegrating into society. As was highlighted during the general debate of the General Assembly held last month, the multidimensional challenges to peace and security in the world demand ever more innovative responses. In that respect, Colombia continues to provide valuable lessons and inspiration. Supporting Colombia’s peace process is a privilege and a unique opportunity for the United Nations, first, because despite all that they have endured and the countless setbacks along the way, Colombians have maintained an irrepressible vocation for the pursuit of peace through dialogue. We see that determination at all levels of authority and across society. Secondly, and while this remains a fully nationally owned peace process, Colombians have been incredibly receptive to the kind of support that the United Nations can provide. That entails a great responsibility. So let us continue, then, to do our absolute best to support Colombia along this challenging yet courageous road to peace.

I thank Mr. Ruiz Massieu for his briefing. I give the floor to Ms. Quintero García.

I wish to extend greetings to the delegates of the Colombian Government and express particular thanks to Switzerland, as holder of the presidency of the Council, for allowing us to share our perspective on the situation of women in Colombia, as a country in conflict. My name is Beatriz Quintero, and I am a Colombian feminist activist and member of the Red Nacional de Mujeres. I am also conveying this message as a member of the Género en la Paz working group. The current Government’s policy of total peace has two objectives. The first entails a commitment to implementing the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, and the second is to pursue processes for dialogue and rapprochement with the various illegal armed groups, including guerrillas and criminal groups, with a view to them facing justice. However, that policy, a worthwhile and ambitious initiative to bring an end to the war in Colombia, has not been accompanied by sufficient guarantees for the social leaders and communities within illegal armed actors’ sphere of influence. To give my briefing some context, I will outline some very general information about Colombia. There has been very little progress when it comes to the gender-related measures in the peace agreement. Fewer than 30 per cent of them are fully implemented, and more than 50 per cent are at a very early stage of implementation or have yet to be initiated. Human rights defenders are facing widespread violence, with 124 attacks in the first half of the year, affecting much of Colombia. In Cauca, attacks have increased by 34 per cent compared to previous years, and in Chocó, one of the departments with the largest Afrodescendent populations, the war for territorial control between armed groups has intensified in almost all municipalities. The Office of the Ombudsman issued an early warning for Chocó, where women have been threatened by criminal gangs who are using gender- based violence in their territorial disputes. UN-Women confirmed that, in just one week in October, eight girls had been recruited by armed groups in Huila and called for their release. Organizations researching the conflict in Colombia concur in their analyses and argue that the ceasefires under the total peace policy have allowed criminal groups to escalate their internal disputes and boost their criminal economies. In 2023, more than 1,500 women took part, in dedicated forums, in formulating the first national action plan pursuant to resolution 1325 (2000), which was promised in 2022 but has yet to be disseminated. The plan, which would develop the women and peace and security agenda and for which feminists and women’s organizations have campaigned for years, is critical to bringing the total peace policy to fruition and must guarantee the participation of women and girls — in all their diversity — seen through a human security and feminist lens. Accordingly, women have the following recommendations to put to the Colombian Government. A gender perspective must be included in all peace negotiations, so as to ensure that women’s and girls’ bodies are kept out of the conflict, and a gender focus must form part of all peace agreements. The women’s and the feminist movement must be acknowledged as a diverse social and political stakeholder and be included in all peace negotiations, so as to ensure the full, equal and safe participation of women and the LGBTIQ+ community. Fundamental red lines, such as prohibitions regarding the recruitment of minors, violence against women and illegal confinement, must be defined in the negotiations and must not be sacrificed to keep talks going. Bilateral ceasefires must be renewed, with strict observance of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and a focus on the protection of women, girls and the LGBTIQ+ community. The ceasefires must include a citizens security policy to ensure lasting peace and prevent violence with due diligence. Security must be guaranteed for all citizens so that they become allies in the peacebuilding process, and an information and outreach campaign must be launched so that peace is seen as a public good that we all have a responsibility to safeguard. The presence of the State must be bolstered at the local level to combat extortion, abductions, illegal confinement and violence against women and thereby foster conditions and opportunities for the enjoyment of women’s rights in order to build a long-term sustainable peace while curbing the expansion of organized crime. I would like to set out our recommendations to the Security Council. Periodic reports on violence against women in armed conflict must pay greater attention to breaches of ceasefires and impediments to the enjoyment of women’s rights. Progress on macro-case 11 concerning sexual and reproductive violence  — which is being heard before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and in which the first victim has yet to be admitted to participate  — must be monitored. The possibility must be afforded to women victims of the conflict to report acts of violence, especially those of a sexual and reproductive nature, other than by making a statement in person. As women’s and feminist organizations, we welcome the renewal of the mandate of the mission in Colombia. A gender approach must continue to be included, and the crimes affecting women in this conflict, such as sexual violence, illegal confinement and the recruitment of minors, must continue to be highlighted. Lastly, I would like to thank the international community for its priceless support throughout the various peace processes and pay tribute to the crucial role of the Security Council and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia in achieving this much desired peace in Colombia. Feminists and the women’s movement are and will remain committed to a peace that guarantees the conditions for the enjoyment of freedom, equality and non-discrimination, and we need the Security Council to continue supporting our country to that end.

I thank Ms. Quintero García for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Special Representative Ruiz Massieu for his briefing today and for the vital work he and his team are doing in Colombia. The United Kingdom welcomes the commitment of Foreign Minister Murillo and Interior Minister Cristo to building sustainable peace in Colombia and their renewed focus on implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. We welcome their rapid response plan and the prioritization of interventions that respond to the needs expressed by conflict-affected communities, in addition to their focus on land issues and security guarantees. I also thank Ms. Beatriz Quintero García for her briefing today. The implementation of the gender provisions of the peace agreement remains essential for building sustainable peace in Colombia. It should be accelerated. We look forward to the launch of Colombia’s first national action plan on women and peace and security, and we trust that its energetic implementation will help reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls from communities across the country. We also welcome the Government’s continued efforts to implement the Comprehensive Programme for the Safeguarding of Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders, which is critical to protecting and promoting women’s leadership in Colombia. We remain concerned by the levels of conflict- related violence, especially against peace signatories, human rights defenders, social leaders, environmental activists, women and LGBTQ+ persons, with a disproportionate impact on Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities. Their safety and security are critical and crucial to long-term peacebuilding in Colombia. We support the Government’s efforts to dismantle illegal armed groups and the reactivation of the National Commission on Security Guarantees. We are disappointed by the failure of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) to respond positively to the Colombian Government’s proposals for extending the ceasefire. We condemn the increased levels of violence perpetrated by the ELN since 23 August, and we call upon the ELN to recommit to dialogue and a ceasefire and hope that progress will be made to that end in the upcoming discussion between the parties. Actions must focus on alleviating the suffering of affected communities and demonstrate a pathway towards peace. We also call upon the factions of the group known as Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo that have remained in dialogue with the Government to use that process to renounce violence and illicit activities and to pursue their aims through political means. In conclusion, the United Kingdom will continue to partner with and support Colombia along its path to sustainable peace. As we reach the eighth anniversary of the 2016 peace agreement, we must continue to drive forward its full implementation in order to achieve real and lasting change.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for his briefing, and I also thank Ms. Beatriz Helena Quintero García. I welcome the presence among us of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Murillo, and the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Cristo. The full implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace remains a priority. France welcomes the Colombian Government’s commitment in that regard. For the past two years, the Colombian Government has been supporting that transition and working to extend it to all armed groups. We hope that the establishment of an inter-institutional coordination process will help accelerate progress. France welcomes the presence of the two signatory parties, which bears witness to a shared desire for coordination, which should be encouraged. The violence continues, and the full implementation of the peace agreement is necessary to tackle the structural causes of that violence. Rural reform is a central pillar in that regard. France welcomes the progress made and continues to lend its full support to the Colombian Government in that area. Agrarian justice is essential to the development of a country that is 94 per cent rural. Security guarantees must also be implemented. In order to do so, it is essential for the State to have a greater presence in the territories. The participation of women in the peace process is also a key element. We welcome the role played by women negotiators and civil society representatives in that respect. Another central pillar of the peace agreement is transitional justice. Significant progress has been made under the auspices of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, which is working to combat impunity for sexual and gender-based violence. France encourages further dialogue between the parties to continue advancing the transitional justice process. Colombia is being scrutinized and is setting an example. That work must continue, and conditions must be created for the full implementation of restorative sentences once they have been handed down. In addition to efforts to implement the peace agreement, the Colombian Government’s negotiations with the armed groups must continue. France welcomes the continuation of discussions with the self- proclaimed Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo group. The return to a bilateral ceasefire with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional is essential for the communities affected by violence. The United Nations plays a crucial role in the peace process in Colombia. France encourages the Special Representative to continue his good offices. We fully support the Verification Mission and the renewal of its mandate at the end of the month. The Mission provides invaluable assistance in monitoring ceasefires and must be allowed to continue to do so.

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his briefing on the situation in Colombia and the work of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. We welcome the participation in today’s meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Mr. Luis Murillo, the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Juan Cristo, and the High Commissioner for Peace, Mr. Otty Patiño. The Government of Colombia has made it clear that it considers the comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace to be key to long-term reconciliation in the country. We can only welcome that commitment on the part of the authorities, which has translated into the development of a rapid response plan focused on distributing land to victims of the conflict, territorial development and security guarantees. On those and other fronts, progress has left much to be desired thus far, and the Colombian people has long been waiting for a transition from the planning phase to concrete action. The continued killings and intimidation of ex-combatants, along with their forced displacement, as occurred in the former territorial area for training and reintegration in Miravalle, are unacceptable. We believe that involving former members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) more closely in the development and implementation of Government measures would be a step towards ensuring their security and reintegration. In that context, we welcome the opportunity for representatives of the high contracting party to attend Security Council meetings and share their views, as was the case for the very first time at the Council meeting during the Russian presidency in July (see S/PV.9683). It is necessary to address the remaining disagreements concerning the transitional justice system envisioned by the Final Agreement. We call on the parties to eschew confrontation in favour of searching for consensus-based solutions, while preserving the independence of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. We hope that Bogotá’s shift in focus to the implementation of the Final Agreement is not a decision of necessity caused by the lack of results on other peacebuilding tracks. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that, unfortunately, no long-term progress has yet been achieved in negotiations with other armed groups. We place some hope on the positive developments in the process with the Segunda Marquetalia illegal armed group. We call on the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) and the Government to return to the negotiating table because a “bad peace” is nonetheless better than war. More people have died in the month and a half of renewed hostilities against the ELN than over the previous year of the ceasefire. Local populations in conflict-afflicted areas are tired of living in permanent insecurity. Vulnerable groups, including ex-combatants, community leaders and members of the Indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations, are particularly affected. In that context, we note the efforts by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to fulfil its mandate even in the absence of a formal agreement between the parties to the conflict. Quiet diplomacy and the good offices of the Mission’s leadership and its representatives on the ground play an important role in establishing communication and preventing outbreaks of violence. With that in mind, Russia is ready to support the extension of the mandate of the special political mission, which is due to expire later this month, in its current form, and we will continue to support the peace process in Colombia and the efforts of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, under the leadership of Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ruiz- Massieu and Ms. Quintero García for their briefings today. I would also like to welcome Foreign Minister Murillo and Minister of the Interior Cristo and to thank them for being with us in the Security Council. The United States has strongly supported the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace since its signing in 2016, and we welcome the vital role played by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. The Agreement addresses conflict-related atrocities and abuses that took place over a timespan of more than 50 years. Despite progress, as we heard today, Colombia continues to experience the long-term consequences of the conflict. The full implementation of the 2016 Agreement is key for Colombia to address those consequences and to achieve durable peace. That should remain the Council’s focus. Achieving that goal will entail accelerating efforts towards full implementation and attaining justice for victims and survivors of the conflict, including survivors of gender and sexual-based violence. Absent those steps, Colombia will continue to face challenges meeting its security, stability and counter-narcotics goals. The United States has contributed more than $2.1 billion to support the Agreement’s implementation. We have included more than $50 million in demining activities, and we supported Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities in achieving the recognition of more than 20 collective territories and supported the design and implementation of more than 80 collective reparation plans for those communities. We have also provided more than $125 million to help Colombia design and implement development plans in affected communities. We welcome renewed efforts to revitalize the implementation of the Final Agreement. The United States has long supported Colombia’s efforts to enact rural reform — a comprehensive and challenging, but vital, component of the Agreement. To advance the comprehensive rural reform chapter and create more equitable, sustainable and peaceful communities across Colombia, more must be done, in particular to expand land rights, climate-smart agriculture and access to financing for women, young people and marginalized racial, ethnic and Indigenous communities. Ethnic communities continue to be disproportionately affected by the ongoing violence. It is important that the Colombian Government uphold its commitments to Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities under the ethnic chapter. As the international accompanier to the ethnic chapter of the Agreement, the United States calls for more rapid progress and implementation in that area. We must also be clear about the need for greater security measures to protect human rights defenders, social leaders and ex-combatants. In that regard, we welcome the formal adoption of the National Reintegration System and the Comprehensive Reintegration Programme. The number of violent attacks against former combatants remained high in this reporting period and continues to be of concern. Likewise, the continued violence against social leaders and human rights defenders is deeply troubling. As of 31 August, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia had received reports of the killings of 138 social leaders in 2024. Those crimes not only target the leaders that Colombia needs most in its peacebuilding efforts, but they also have a chilling effect on the communities. Colombia’s young people currently experience great trauma as a result of the ongoing violence. The victims’ healing and their full and meaningful participation in peace dialogues are essential components of a durable, sustainable peace. Survivors must be part of the conversation in building a peaceful and equitable future in Colombia. The United States continues to commend the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) for its vital and laudable work to support the victims and survivors of this conflict. We have advanced policy and programming in support of the transitional justice process and are pleased to see the SJP’s first indictments being issued and the opening of macro case 11, focusing on sexual and gender-based crimes. We encourage the SJP to continue to carry out its mandate and bring to justice those primarily responsible for the conflict in Colombia. We echo the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s call for increased cooperation between the SJP and the Government on information-sharing to facilitate trials. The United States condemns the Ejército de Liberación Nacional attack of a military base in Puerto Jordan on 17 September, and we look forward to further updates from the Special Representative and the Colombian Government on that and other matters. In the eight years since the Final Agreement, the continued implementation of its provisions remains key. Achieving peace for the sake of all Colombians, especially civilian communities and the vulnerable communities of Indigenous and Afro-Colombian peoples, should remain the foremost aim of all involved, including the Security Council.

Allow me to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for the information he provided and for his efforts for peace. We took note of the statement by Ms. Beatriz Quintero García, the civil society representative. Allow me also to welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, my friend, Mr. Luis Gilberto Murillo, and his delegation. Ecuador expresses its support for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, given the upcoming renewal of its mandate, and for its role of good offices as a special political mission. Eight years after its signing and despite the prevailing challenges, the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace between the Government of Colombia and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) continues to be the best path towards achieving sustainable and lasting peace in Colombia. We recognize its achievements and strongly support the efforts being made towards its comprehensive implementation, in particular by the Government of Colombia. We agree with the need to address the structural causes that give rise to the violence that the country has experienced for decades, in line with the Peacebuilding Commission’s written advice. Progress on rural reform is important and even vital. The priority given to development plans with a territorial focus and the distribution of land are essential steps to close the historical inequality gaps that are fuelling the conflict in the most vulnerable areas of the country. The Colombian Government’s approach to building peace starting from the territories and focusing on measures that generate benefits at the local level is crucial, but it requires bolstering the State’s presence throughout the country, in particular in the regions affected by the conflict and rural areas. Efforts to ensure improved coordination among the various national institutions in order to accelerate the implementation of the Final Agreement should be valued. With respect to the process of reintegrating former combatants, the Colombian State must guarantee their security. Likewise, a comprehensive response from the State is necessary to implement prevention and protection policies and instruments for communities and social leaders. It is essential to accelerate the implementation of the ethnic chapter and to ensure the inclusion and protection of historically marginalized Indigenous and Afrodescendent communities, who endure disproportionate levels of violence. Women peacebuilders fight against conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence and contribute to collective reparation. The participation of Indigenous and Afro- Colombian women in the peace process has been crucial. They are the key to peace. The implementation of the Agreement is a step towards shutting down the illegal economies that strengthen transnational organized crime, which uses every form of violence against the civilian population, in particular women, ethnic/racial groups and land restitution claimants. We therefore call for the dialogue processes and agreements previously reached with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional to be fulfilled and for the ceasefire to be renewed. Lasting peace is intrinsically tied to access to justice and respect for human rights, the restoration of trust and reparations to victims and society. The Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition is a pillar in the fight against impunity. Providing the Special Jurisdiction for Peace with adequate resources is essential for the prompt issuance of sentences and their execution. In this last meeting in which this topic is being considered during our mandate, I reiterate that Ecuador attaches particular importance to its relationship with Colombia, in which there is a historical context of brotherhood and bilateral cooperation to face the challenges on our shared border and in the fight against transnational organized crime in all its manifestations, especially with regard to drug trafficking, arms trafficking and illegal mining and, of course, their impact on peace and security. Since 11 January 2023, when my country participated for the first time as a member of the Security Council in a briefing on Colombia (see S/PV.9240), we have stated that the 2016 peace agreement is a historic achievement that deserves the support of the Council and the entire international community. And Ecuador supports it. In conclusion, Ecuador reiterates its full support for the peace process in Colombia and the comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, and my own country, Guyana (A3+). We wish to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his briefing and commend him and the team of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for their very important work. We listened carefully to Ms. Beatriz Helena Quintero García. We also welcome the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo and Minister of the Interior Juan Fernando Cristo at today’s meeting. The A3+ welcomes the renewed focus on the implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. While we note that there are some areas where there has been limited progress, we are of the view that political will is still strong in Colombia, and we commend the Government’s continued commitment to accelerating implementation of the Agreement. The development of the rapid response plan, under the direction of Minister Cristo, is an important step in that regard. We see as positive the increased improvement in the adjudication of land, towards reaching the goal of 500,000 hectares for the Land Fund by 2024. We take note of the Constitutional Court’s decision to overturn a procedure that allowed the National Land Agency to adjudicate State lands without judicial oversight, and we hope that the issue regarding the procedure is urgently resolved, as land acquisition is a critical aspect of the peace agreement and consequently stability in Colombia. We have also noted that calls persist for implementing a special land programme to close the gender gap in the distribution of land to rural women and call for every effort to be made to ensure equitable distribution of land. The A3+ continues to express grave concern regarding the limited implementation of the ethnic chapter, with only eight of the 2024 goals achieved. Addressing the issues that have historically affected marginalized communities and those who have and continue to bear the brunt of the conflict remains the fulcrum of achieving peace in Colombia. We therefore reiterate that the implementation of the ethnic chapter is critical to the overall success of the peace agreement, as it seeks to safeguard the rights and address the issues affecting ethnic peoples, specifically Afro-Colombians and Indigenous peoples. While we recognize the improved coordination among Government entities with implementation responsibilities to achieve swifter progress, we call for all relevant entities to redouble their efforts to enhance implementation of the ethnic chapter, which is a critical component of the final peace agreement. We remain concerned that violence and threats from armed groups persist, particularly against former combatants, including women, social leaders and human rights defenders, as well as the Indigenous and Afro- Colombian communities. In that regard, we see the recent steps taken to implement key policy instruments as important in addressing the security risks to vulnerable communities. Additionally, we welcome the finalization of the 2023-2026 action plan of the Comprehensive Programme for Safeguards for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders. We call on the Government to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups and also reiterate our calls for increased State presence in affected regions. We condemn in the strongest terms the continued recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. We are especially concerned that over 50 per cent of cases of child recruitment and use of children by armed groups targeted Indigenous communities. We stress that the use of children in armed conflict is against international law and call upon the armed groups to release the children within their ranks. Meaningful dialogue is central to resolving the conflict and achieving lasting peace. While there have been challenges to the dialogue processes, the A3+ commends the Government’s continued commitment to pursuing peace through dialogue. We take note of ongoing and new dialogues under way between the Government and armed actors and will continue to monitor those closely. We condemn the acts of violence involving the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, which led to the loss of life, and regret that the ceasefire agreement has not been further extended. We call for continued dialogue between the parties in good faith, with the objective of reducing violence and further alleviating the suffering of the Colombian people and for a return to the negotiation table. We take note of the continued dialogue between the Government and the Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo and the recent extension of the ceasefire. The A3+ welcomes the establishment of the National Reintegration System and the Comprehensive Reintegration Programme and sees their implementation as an important step in the reintegration of former combatants and essential for building accountability and trust. We therefore commend the finalized formal adjudication of land purchased in 2023 by the National Land Agency. We note, however, that the efforts to accelerate long-term consolidation of former territorial areas for training and reintegration, in terms of land tenure, faced challenges, particularly security concerns. In that regard, we are concerned that threats by armed groups have led to the relocation of former combatants and their families. While we commend the Government’s short-term support to resettlement, more concrete measures should be implemented to ensure their protection and a resolution of the issue. The A3+ views the work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) as imperative to transitional justice in Colombia. We take note of the limited progress within the framework of the coordination mechanism for the issuance of sentences and call for more coordination among all relevant entities to ensure the timely and smooth issuance of the long-awaited sentences. We also reiterate the importance of legal certainty for those under the jurisdiction of the SJP. We commend the good offices of the Secretary- General for their continued efforts to support the implementation of the peace agreement. We note that the current mandate of the Verification Mission concludes at the end of the month and look forward to its renewal. In conclusion, as the Government and people of Colombia approach the eighth year of the 2016 peace agreement, it is time to consolidate the gains and press forward to achieving the goal of lasting peace and stability in Colombia. The A3+ reaffirms its full support in that endeavour.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ruiz Massieu for his briefing. I also thank Ms. Quintero García for her statement. I extend a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Murillo and Interior Minister Cristo. Their past experience and expertise in implementing the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace will be instrumental now in transforming the plans for peace into a reality for the people of Colombia. We are especially encouraged by the new rapid response plan, with the increased focus on rural reform. Territorial transformation requires a comprehensive approach mindful of the specific development challenges of each region. That will also be key to achieving an integrated State presence throughout the country. Japan calls on all stakeholders to work together to take swift and concrete action on the plan. Japan appreciates the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for providing operational and political support to Colombia’s efforts, including through their good offices. Japan fully supports the extension of the Mission’s mandate, which is due at the end of this month and seeks to enable the Mission to continue its operations effectively. We look forward to the Mission’s continuous collaboration with the United Nations country team, especially on the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024–2027 for the consolidation of peace, human security and social justice. Today I wish to highlight three points as we continue supporting Colombia’s peace process. First, we must work towards the cooperative implementation of the ethnic chapter. We are pleased to hear that the related entities and local communities from Quibdó, Chocó took action to identify their bottlenecks and priorities in order to accelerate its implementation. I hope that the UNVMC will further support such initiatives through its local offices. Secondly, we must promote sustainable reintegration. Japan welcomes the formal adoption of the National Reintegration System and the Comprehensive Reintegration Programme. Such efforts can become sustainable if threats are removed and security ensured. It is therefore important for Colombia to comprehend, analyse and leverage the dynamics of ongoing violence between and among armed groups through contributions by local, regional and international actors, including the UNVMC. Defining the judicial situation is also crucial. We look forward to the issuance of the first rulings of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and recall the role of the Government in establishing the conditions for the implementation of those rulings. Thirdly, we must consolidate and build upon the progress made in the peace negotiations with the armed groups initiated by President Petro Urrego under the “total peace” initiative. I urge all parties to demonstrate their commitment to peace through concrete actions. We welcome the extension of the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejército del Pueblo and hope for ongoing dialogue between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional, as well as the temporary ceasefire between the Government and the Segunda Marquetalia. I appreciate the written advice of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), which focuses on some of the points I mentioned. The Security Council can further utilize the PBC’s thematic expertise by way of advice, briefings or meetings, as President Petro Urrego and his Government have already done. In conclusion, I renew Japan’s ongoing commitment to deliver effective support for the people of Colombia.

I extend my gratitude to Special Representative Ruiz Massieu for his informative briefing. My delegation values his leadership in ensuring the remarkable work of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to support the country’s peace process. My appreciation also goes to Ms. Beatriz Quintero García for her briefing today. Additionally, my delegation recognizes the efforts of the Colombian Government to sustain the political will to implement the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, as evidenced by today’s participation of the Foreign Minister, the Minister of the Interior and the High Commissioner for Peace. I also warmly welcome Mr. Tovar, member of the Commission for the Follow- Up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement, representing the high contracting party to the peace agreement. Colombia is making great strides to hasten the implementation of the peace agreement, as exemplified by the rapid response plan, while also expanding peace dialogue with various armed groups. My delegation particularly appreciates Columbia’s responsible efforts to the Security Council’s call for stronger Government coordination. Those include the enhanced coordinating role of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the creation of a peace cabinet and an intersectoral commission for the implementation of the peace agreement. As a strategic cooperative partner of Colombia, the Republic of Korea has strengthened its bilateral cooperation to support Colombia’s efforts towards achieving lasting peace. Within the framework of the Security Council, we would like to highlight three points. First, security guarantees for former combatants of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia are a prerequisite for achieving lasting peace, and that must be ensured at all costs. In that regard, we welcome Columbia’s recent steps towards improving security conditions. It has prioritized 11 areas for dismantling illegal armed groups and criminal organizations, while strengthening the Special Investigation Unit of the Office of the Attorney General. For that initiative to succeed, all relevant Government entities must make coordinated efforts —not only to prevent potential violence, but also to demonstrate that impunity can no longer continue on Colombian territory. In addition, a strong State presence across the conflict-affected region is essential to protect communities at risk. It can discourage illegal economic activities by armed groups, thereby incentivizing their participation in peace dialogues and preventing further violence against vulnerable populations. In that regard, we call on the Colombian Government to incorporate a comprehensive road map for enhancing its State presence, prioritizing regions where development programmes with a territorial focus are being implemented and the former territorial areas for training and reintegration into the rapid response plan. Secondly, we acknowledge the ongoing tripartite efforts between the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the high contracting party and the Colombian Government to reduce the gap in their respective interests. However, we remain deeply concerned about the persistent delays in issuing restorative sentences. Transitional justice must be achieved within the time frame of the peace agreement. We therefore also call for accelerating the establishment of the necessary conditions for the implementation of restorative sentences. Lastly, the Republic of Korea is concerned about the limited progress regarding the ethnic chapter and the gender provisions. Government entities should aim to enhance their coordination efforts to produce notable outcomes this year. That could include the completion of Colombia’s first national action plan on women and peace and security in order to ensure the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women, as well as an increase in the ratio of land distribution to ethnic groups and women. Despite the challenges, the current Government has taken important step towards lasting peace, and that momentum must be maintained. Continued international engagement and cooperation will be crucial in preserving that momentum. To that end, the Republic of Korea reaffirms its a steadfast commitment to supporting Colombia’s peace process, both through bilateral cooperation and in collaboration with the United Nations, as well as other international partners.

Let me also thank Special Representative Massieu and Ms. Quintero García, co-founder of Red Nacional de Mujeres, for their briefings today. I also welcome the participation of Colombia’s Foreign Minister Murillo in today’s meeting. Next month, the implementation of Colombia’s Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace will enter its eighth year. Since 2016, there have been large strides forward in implementing the Agreement. However, as we heard again today, important challenges remain. Malta welcomes the Government’s efforts to revitalize the implementation of the peace agreement, including through the appointment of new Minister of the Interior Cristo, tasked to enhance its coordination, whom we also welcome to this meeting. We hope the Government’s new rapid response plan will soon deliver accelerated results. Violence continues to be a major concern in Colombia, particularly for former combatants, social leaders, human rights defenders, LGBTQI+ persons and Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. Continued reports of the recruitment and use of children by armed gangs remain alarming. There is an urgent need to improve security guarantees, and we call on the authorities to take swift and concrete actions to protect vulnerable groups, including by ensuring an integrated State presence throughout the country. The social, economic and political reintegration of former combatants remains a priority. We welcome the Government’s efforts in issuing several regulations for the reintegration process to strengthen delivery through improved coordination. We also emphasize the need to address the security challenges for former territorial areas for training and reintegration. Malta expresses its full support for the work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP). We call for any tensions between the SJP and peace signatories to be resolved based on the framework of the 2016 Agreement. We call for continued progress to be made across all cases and for the SJP’s first restorative sentences to be issued without delay. We also underscore the importance of adequate funding being made available and the necessary security arrangements being made to implement the rulings. Malta welcomes the Colombian Government’s efforts to quell persistent violence through dialogue in their total peace policy. Though setbacks have occurred, we believe significant achievements have been made. We urge the Government and armed groups to continue at the negotiating table and show the necessary flexibility and compromise to overcome their differences. We regret that the ceasefire between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional was not renewed in August, but welcome the commitment of both parties to re-engage in negotiations. As we have heard again today from Ms. Quintero García, women and girls continue to suffer high levels of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence in Colombia, particularly if they are members of minority groups. We condemn that violence in the strongest terms and call on the Government to scale up efforts to ensure their protection. It is critically important to fully implement the gender-related provisions of the 2016 Peace Agreement, notably in comprehensive rural reform and the ethnic chapter. We underscore the importance of the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women from diverse backgrounds in Colombia’s peace processes. We welcome the development of Colombia’s national action plan on women and peace and security, and the finalized design of the 2023–2026 action plan of the Comprehensive Programme for the Safeguarding of Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders. We urge for adequate funding and resources to be provided for the accelerated implementation of those important plans. As this is Malta’s final quarterly meeting on Colombia before our Council term concludes at the end of the year, I would like to express my gratitude to Special Representative Ruiz Massieu and our United Nations colleagues who continue to work tirelessly for the benefit of the Colombian people. We will work with Council members to ensure a timely renewal of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia’s mandate this month. I would like to commend the steps taken by the Colombian Government to implement the peace agreement and wish them every success in their future efforts. Finally, Malta expresses our solidarity with the Colombian people and commends their strength, courage and determination on their path to sustainable and lasting peace. Colombia’s journey remains an example to the world of the transformative power of peace, and Malta will continue to support Colombia’s pursuit of peace beyond our Council term.

I too would like to welcome Ministers Murillo and Cristo to today’s meeting, and I would also like to thank Special Representative Ruiz Massieu for his briefing and commend his leadership of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, which plays an indispensable role in supporting efforts to build and consolidate peace in Colombia. I would also like to express my gratitude to Ms. Quintero García for her insightful briefing on the situation of women’s rights in Colombia. Let me begin by acknowledging the notable progress made by the Government of Colombia in implementing the final peace agreement. We welcome the recent commitments and actions undertaken by the Government to accelerate that process, particularly through the establishment of a rapid response plan that prioritizes the implementation of key aspects of the final peace agreement. While we acknowledge the Government’s commitment to strengthening the process of reintegrating former combatants, we must reiterate our concern about the violence they continue to face. We are encouraged that the rapid response plan addresses that issue. The reintegration process must be accompanied by security guarantees. In the same vein, we call for an immediate cessation of all violence, including all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, against the civilian population  — in particular children, women, social leaders, human rights defenders and Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities  — as well as the recruitment and use of children by armed actors. A comprehensive approach is essential for achieving total peace in Colombia, and we recognize that several formal peace talks and dialogues of various kinds are currently under way. In that respect, we highlight the Special Representative’s capacity to build trust among the parties in those talks and dialogues for the overall advancement of peace. We also join the Secretary-General in urging the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) to resolve their current differences and resume peace dialogues along with the ceasefire. Although there has been encouraging news in recent days about the potential resumption of dialogues, we hope that the Government and the ELN will swiftly re-establish their bilateral ceasefire to prevent further violence. A comprehensive approach requires the full, equal, safe and meaningful participation of women in all stages of dialogue processes. Slovenia, as a staunch supporter of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls globally, eagerly awaits the prompt publication and implementation of the first national action plan on women and peace and security, which will enable greater political participation of women in Colombia’s peace process. Finally, I want to underscore the vital importance of achieving an integrated State presence in conflict-affected regions, and I want to encourage the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure that presence throughout the national territory. A comprehensive rural reform, a fundamental aspect of the final peace agreement, is essential in that regard  — not only for the full implementation of the final peace agreement, but also for resolving Colombia’s ongoing armed conflicts. At the same time, effective natural resource governance must be strengthened in those areas to facilitate inclusive governance, build intercommunal trust and foster cooperation that creates development opportunities for communities, and particularly for youth.

I welcome the presence of the Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Murillo, and Minister of the Interior, Mr. Cristo, at today’s meeting, and thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ruiz Massieu for his briefing. I also listened attentively to the briefing by the civil society representative. Since 2016, the Colombian Government and people have actively promoted implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and have made remarkable progress. However, the implementation of the Agreement has also encountered various problems and challenges. Although the further implementation of the Agreement will bring more difficulties and risks to the fore, we expect and trust that under the leadership of President Petro Urrego and the Colombian Government, all parties in Colombia will firmly resolve to implement the Agreement in order to overcome those difficulties and challenges, develop strong synergies in the peacebuilding process and ultimately achieve comprehensive stability, peace and development in the country. I would like to make the following points. First, the development dividends must continue to be realized. The experience of the Colombian peace process has clearly shown that only through resolving development problems and enabling people in conflict- affected areas to return to normal life and production can the breeding grounds for conflict and violence be fully eliminated. In that regard, China highly appreciates President Petro Urrego’s efforts to promote the effective implementation of the Agreement after taking office. We hope that the recently formulated rapid response plan will help to improve coordination and synergy, mobilize more resources, advance the rural reform, land distribution and reintegration of ex-combatants, to achieve further progress in those areas related to people’s livelihoods. China encourages United Nations agencies and international and regional partners to continue to provide support and assistance in that regard. Secondly, the consolidation of the outcomes of the peace talks must continue. The peace talks between the Colombian Government and armed groups form an important part of the peace process. China notes that the outcome of peace and ceasefire talks between the Colombian Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional is not yet concrete. We encourage both sides to put the long-term interests of the country and its people first, show flexibility and resume negotiations as soon as possible in order to expedite a ceasefire. We also expect the Colombian Government to maintain the momentum in peace talks with other armed groups so as to expedite progress. The transitional justice process will help to achieve fairness and justice and promote peace and reconciliation. China looks forward to the first restorative judgments, which the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will hand down in the near future. Thirdly, security guarantees must continue to be strengthened. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/694) pointed out that the overall security situation in Colombia has recently eased, with a decrease in the violence against former combatants. Meanwhile, rural areas and ethnic minorities continue to be threatened by armed groups. We support the Colombian Government in its implementation of the policy to disband armed groups and combat criminal gangs by stepping up the deployment of security forces in areas lacking effective control and better protecting vulnerable groups such as former combatants, women and children and ethnic minorities. This month, the Security Council will decide whether to renew the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. China appreciates the efforts and contributions made by the Mission under the leadership of Special Representative Ruiz Massieu in supporting Colombia’s implementation of the peace agreement and pursuit of the vision of total peace. We support the Mission’s continuation of its important role so that further progress can be made in the Colombian- led and Colombian-owned peace process.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Switzerland. (spoke in Spanish) I thank Special Representative, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for his briefing. We welcome the presence of His Excellency Mr. Luis Gilberto Murillo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, His Excellency Mr. Juan Fernando Cristo, Minister of the Interior of Colombia, Mr. Otty Patiño, High Commissioner for Peace, and Mr. Diego Tovar, representative of the high contracting party. Their presence here today reaffirms the commitment of all the parties to achieving the full implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, while allowing the total peace policy to move forward. It sends a significant political message. Beatriz Quintero García’s input, which we have just heard, further underscores the transformative impact of women in efforts to promote peace, in Colombia and elsewhere. Women must not only be consulted, but also participate actively in decision-making processes, as provided for by the visionary Colombian peace agreement. That was the message also conveyed to us during the Council’s visit to Colombia in February. Switzerland has heeded the message, which is why this meeting was preceded by a declaration by those countries that have signed the commitments regarding women and peace and security. Despite the many obstacles to their participation  — not least the ongoing threats to their security and that of their families — Colombian women have always shown an unrelenting commitment to the peace process. We are delighted at the publication and concrete implementation of Colombia’s first national action plan on women and peace and security, which seeks to build on the fruits of those endeavours. (spoke in French) In addition, we would like to highlight three points. First, Switzerland welcomes the new impetus given to expediting the implementation of the final peace agreement. The appointment of Minister Cristo and the introduction of the rapid response plan are significant steps in that direction. While rural reform is progressing, the implementation of development programmes in the territories must remain a priority so that those most affected by the conflict can ultimately benefit from the progress achieved. That observation is also reflected in the most recent recommendations of the Peacebuilding Commission. Secondly, we underline the importance of complementarity between the implementation of the final peace agreement and ongoing dialogues with the armed groups. Those dialogues are capable of fostering the conditions for the implementation of the final peace agreement in those territories affected by the armed conflicts, and implementing the agreement will help to achieve progress in the dialogues. As a guarantor country in the peace negotiations between the Government and the Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo, we recognize the progress made in those negotiations, including the extension of the ceasefire. We call for the effective resumption of negotiations between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional and for the renewal and strengthening of the ceasefire. We also note the progress made in the dialogue processes held between the Government and other armed groups and the initiation of new processes, including with the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia. In that regard, Switzerland calls for optimal alignment and coordination between the various peace efforts so that they culminate in lasting and tangible results, particularly in the territories affected by the violence. Thirdly, Switzerland supports the renewal of the current mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission and acknowledges the importance of its good offices in supporting dialogue with the armed groups. The Mission’s existing capabilities and its presence on the ground are crucial to monitoring the dynamics of the conflict, maintaining contact with communities in conflict-affected areas and promoting the protection of the civilian population. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Mission for their invaluable efforts. With the negotiations on the mandate imminent, we recommend maintaining the Mission’s current resources and placing greater emphasis on the women and peace and security agenda. We count on the unity and continued support of the Council to that end. (spoke in Spanish) In conclusion, Switzerland supports and will continue to support peacebuilding in Colombia. We will continue to provide political, technical and financial support for the implementation of the final peace agreement. We will fulfil our responsibilities as a guarantor country and supporter of the peace talks so as to contribute to sustainable peace in Colombia. (spoke in French) I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

I thank Her Excellency Mrs. Baeriswyl, Permanent Representative of Switzerland and President of the Security Council, for her continued support. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, for his efforts, leadership and all of his endeavours for peace in Colombia and, through him, we thank the Secretary-General. We also thank Ms. Beatriz Quintero García, co-founder of the Red Nacional de Mujeres, for everything that she does for civil society in Colombia and for her attention to the issues affecting the women in my beloved department of Chocó. Colombia is resolutely striving and advocating for peace, not war. To that end, from 21 October to 1 November, we will be hosting the sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia. Council members are invited. The theme of the conference is “Peace with nature: an appeal for life”. Three months ago (see S/PV.9683), in this very same venue, we had the opportunity to witness the meaning of reconciliation and the result of taking the same path towards the same goal. Thanks to all the joint efforts, as a sign of the importance of the bilateral nature of the historic peace agreement of 2016, for the first time, on 11 July, the two high-contracting parties joined us as participants at the formal inauguration of the Kusikawsay Monument and at the quarterly meeting of the Council on this subject. With that same purpose, I would like today to highlight the presence of the Minister of the Interior of Colombia, Mr. Juan Fernando Cristo, and the Peace Counsellor Commissioner, Mr. Otty Patiño, with whom we share the challenge of fulfilling the commitments made before the Council. Minister Cristo is leading the rapid and early implementation of the peace agreement, and Counsellor Commissioner for Peace Otty Patiño is leading the negotiations. That is a further demonstration of the political as well as the operational and practical commitment to compliance with and rapid implementation of the agreement. In turn, I would like to highlight the participation of the representative of the Comunes Party, Mr. Diego Tovar. His attendance and participation attest to the significant commitment to peace and reconciliation. I would like to refer to the meeting on 11 July (see S/PV.9683), not only because of its significance, but also because of the commitments that the President of the Republic of Colombia, Mr. Gustavo Petro Urrego, undertook before Council members, before the international community and, in particular, before Colombian society. As Council members are aware, the national Government, under the leadership of President Petro Urrego and Vice-President Francia Márquez, has conducted a cross-cutting and structural analysis of the challenges encountered in the implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and of the initiatives that have not been able to move forward in spite of the will to comply  — apart from the will to comply. As a result of that exercise, several obstacles were identified, such as the deficient structure and the lack of institutional capacities for implementation, in addition to the insufficient resources allocated, as mentioned by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and the persistent violence in territories historically affected by the conflict, among other challenges. However, with the firm commitment to uphold what was agreed and to territorialize peace, we have developed a new strategic framework for peace, under which the effective and comprehensive implementation of the 2016 agreement becomes an unavoidable requirement for the sustainability of the strategic proposals around territorial transformation — territorial transformation in areas that have been mentioned here by the members of the Council. Chocó, Quibdó, the Pacific region, Buenaventura, Tumaco, southern Bolívar, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with its Indigenous peoples, the Guajira and other areas of the country in the south, in Putumayo, where that territorial transformation is needed; those are what we call territories with development plans with a territorial focus. That has resulted in the development of a plan to accelerate the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement based on six main axes, whose implementation is led by Minister Cristo. With his consent, allow me to list those axes. The first axis is the rapid implementation of the territorial transformation scheme based on development programmes with a territorial focus. The second axis is accelerating access to land and the implementation of the national plans on comprehensive rural reform. The third axis is strengthening the approach to security. Human security is very important, specifically with a focus on protecting victims and the civilian population in order to truly prevent and protect — prevent threats and protect the signatories to the agreement, human rights defenders and women and children who are affected by the conflict and who are often recruited. That component of security is extremely important. The fourth axis is promoting the legislative agenda to remove the structural obstacles that hinder the effective and full implementation of the peace agreement. The fifth axis is achieving progress towards reaching a national agreement on the implementation of that historic agreement, because the implementation thereof requires a commitment on the part of Colombian society as a whole. The sixth axis is strengthening the institutional framework and governance for peace in Colombia. Moreover, along with our firm conviction, we have also made decisive progress on implementing the peace agreement with the tools that we possess. It is very important to note that the 2016 peace agreement recognizes the differential impact of the armed conflict on women and girls, especially Indigenous, Afrodescendent and peasant women. For that reason, a cross-cutting gender approach has been included to ensure the protection of women and girls in the conflict. Colombia’s experience with peacebuilding highlights an irrefutable empirical fact: women’s participation in negotiating and building peace is not only a matter of justice; it is also vital to ensuring more robust and lasting agreements. That is why the Colombian Government has developed and is implementing a feminist foreign policy linked to the principles of the women and peace and security agenda set out in resolution 1325 (2000). On 9 November, we will launch the national action plan on women and peace and security. The plan addresses the concern raised by Beatriz in terms of guaranteeing the protection of women in conflict zones, mainly in the department of Chocó. We have made progress on the formalization of more than 3 million hectares of small and medium rural property, benefiting more than 70,000 peasant families and more than 52,000 Afrodescendent and Indigenous ethnic families. On 13 September, the decree regulating peasant reserve zones was signed, in a very important development for rural populations. The Comprehensive Reintegration Programme was also regulated, and since 10 September, 723 acts of commitment have been reported by the signatories for entry into the Programme. The operation of the agreement entities has been strengthened. As proof of our commitment, during this quarter, the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement convened, as did the High-Level Unit of the Comprehensive Security System for the Exercise of Politics and the National Commission on Security Guarantees. I want to emphasize the status of the implementation of the ethnic chapter of the peace agreement, which was mentioned here several times. We have found, and we recognize, that that component of the agreement is the one that is lagging furthest behind in terms of implementation. That is why the plan on accelerating implementation prioritizes the conclusion of territorial pacts with the communities most affected by the conflict, particularly Indigenous, Afrodescendent and peasant communities. Minister Cristo and Peace Commissioner Patiño have visited all those areas and have just been to Buenaventura and Quibdó, areas in the Pacific region affected by the conflict, signing and implementing those pacts for the purpose of implementation. That will allow us to move quickly and to meet the expectations of those communities. The goal of peace in Colombia entails a recognition of our progress while also, as an act of shared responsibility with the victims, recognizing the obstacles that we face. Today, halfway through our Government’s term, we are convinced that the only way out is to uphold the agreements made and to transform the reality of Colombians, especially in those territories that have been historically excluded. Colombia is at a decisive juncture for the implementation of the “total peace” policy and, in particular, that of the 2016 peace agreement, which is the basis for peacebuilding in the country. For instance, despite the difficulties in the negotiation process between the national Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN)  — and that was also mentioned here several times  — we are optimistic that we can overcome the crisis that that process is currently facing and that we can continue moving towards effective negotiations and an agreement that benefits Colombia. That calls for solid gestures of peace from the ELN. That progress is demonstrated by the fact that the first point of the six points covered in the agenda has been finalized and implemented. That is unprecedented — never has an agreement been reached with the ELN. It has also been expressed in a ceasefire that significantly reduced the violence in some regions, as the Special Representative said. For this Government, the Government of change and of the people, it is essential to fulfil its commitments to the victims, the signatories and the Colombian people. Our responsibility is to transform the territories, not only as an act of reparation but as a step towards achieving a peaceful future, which is the desire of Colombian society. Our goal is to renew the Colombian people’s confidence in peace, so that it is not, as I just said, simply a desire but a wonderful reality. Today Colombia is ratifying its will to comply with the international community, as expressed in the unilateral declaration of State deposited here with the United Nations, and it remains firmly committed to the implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement and the total peace policy. My country understands that the road to peace cannot be travelled alone, which is why we deeply appreciate the international community’s unanimous support, in particular that of the Security Council, to that end. I therefore reiterate my gratitude for the valuable support that the United Nations Verification Mission has provided, and continues to provide, in that process and our hope that its mandate will be extended until 31 October 2025. The Mission plays a crucial role, and its extension is a sine qua non if we are to keep moving forward. We firmly believe that this Government will not only lay solid foundations but will also be instrumental in realizing the 2016 Final Agreement and, for that, we hope to continue to receive the Security Council’s unanimous support.