Dictate

Statement on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the UNSC Briefing on the Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Thank you, Madame President.

I would also like to welcome Ministers Murillo and Cristo to today’s meeting.

I would also like to thank Special Representative Massieu for his briefing and commend his leadership of the Verification Mission, 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 Garcia for her insightful briefing on the situation of women’s rights in Colombia.

Madame President,

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 this 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 reintegration process of former combatants, we must reiterate our concern about the violence they continue to face.

We are encouraged that the rapid response plan addresses this issue. The reintegration process must be accompanied by security guarantees.

In the same breath, we call for an immediate cessation of all violence, including all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, against the civilian population – particularly children, women, social leaders, human rights defenders, Indigenous, and Afro-Colombian communities – as well as the recruitment and use of children by armed actors.

Madame President,

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 underway.

In this respect, we highlight the Special Representative’s capacity to build trust among the parties in these talks and dialogues for the overall advancement of peace.

We also join the Secretary-General in urging the Government and the 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.

Madame President,

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, Peace and Security, which will enable greater political participation of women in Colombia’s peace process.

And finally, Madame President,

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 this presence throughout the national territory.

A comprehensive rural reform, a fundamental aspect of the Final Peace Agreement, is essential in this 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 these areas to facilitate inclusive governance, build intercommunal trust, and foster cooperation that creates development opportunities for communities, particularly for youth.

Thank you.

Recent Statements

Slovenia building trust Logo
I feel SLOVENIA