Mr. President
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely
Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and my own country, Guyana.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you and the Russian Federation on the assumption of the Presidency. You have our full support. We also extend gratitude to the Republic of Korea for the excellent stewardship of the Council in
September.
We congratulate Mr. Miroslav Jenča on his appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary General for Colombia and Head of the UN Verification Mission , and thank him for his briefing. We also thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz
Massieu for his dedication to and stewardship of the UN Verification Mission over the past six years. We further commend the UN Verification Mission team in
Colombia for their invaluable work.
We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Colombia,
Her Excellency, Leonor Zalabata Torres, in today’s meeting.
Mr President
We are just past the halfway mark of the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Considering the decades of conflict in Colombia that preceded, and necessitated the Agreement, and that of ongoing peacekeeping missions, 9 years is a relatively short time for implementation. The A3+, therefore, commends the progress made in the implementation of the Agreement, and encourages the government of Colombia to continue pressing forward, towards achieving the goal of lasting peace and stability.
The A3+ is encouraged by the strong support of the Colombian people for the UN Verification Mission, which was demonstrated during the Council’s visit to Colombia last year. We underscore the need for the Council’s continued support when we consider the renewal of the mandate of the Mission this month. This will underscore the international community’s firm commitment and support to peacebuilding efforts in Colombia.
Mr President
Having considered the Secretary-General’s report, the A3+ offers the following observations:
On land reform, the A3+ believes this is a central pillar of rural reform and is critical to consolidating peace in Colombia. We commend the Government of Colombia for prioritizing this aspect of the Peace Agreement by facilitating access to land for peasants, rural women, and victims.
We take note that as of August, approximately 33,000 hectares were adjudicated during the reporting period. We also commend the formalisation of over one hundred and twenty-five thousand hectares, bringing the overall total to almost half of the seven-million-hectare target set out in the Final Agreement.
We are, however, concerned that 66 percent of the issuance of definitive land titles remains pending, and urge the Government to further accelerate the process of rural reform.
The A3+ is encouraged that the former combatants remain committed to the reintegration process, which is important to promote sustainable peace, stability, and development. We therefore see it as positive that 95 percent of those active in the reintegration process have completed their individual reintegration plans, and that approximately 17000 hectares of land have been delivered to them.
We note the approval of productive projects for over 90 percent of former combatants, including women, but only 20 such projects led by women received funding. We encourage the provision of greater support and funding in this regard.
Regarding the ethnic chapter, the A3+ continues to be gravely concerned about its limited implementation. While we acknowledge that there has been greater momentum in implementation during the reporting period, we nevertheless reiterate the need for greater progress as this will accelerate addressing the historical and structural marginalization of Afro-descendants and Indigenous people.
We also call for the challenges impeding implementation of the gender provisions of the Agreement to be addressed.
Mr. President
We remain gravely concerned about the security situation and condemn the continued perpetration of violence against human rights defenders, social leaders, former combatants, and vulnerable groups and communities. Ending the recruitment and use of children by illegal armed groups, and the immediate release of all children from within their ranks must also be of foremost priority.
We take note that the National Commission on Security Guarantees has not convened in over a year, hindering the implementation of the public policy designed to dismantle armed groups and criminal organizations. We call for a stronger and more substantial state presence, especially in affected regions, as well as ensuring the full implementation of the security guarantees provisions of the Final Agreement.
Mr President
We believe that dialogue is the pathway to peace. Hence, the A3+ remains seriously concerned that peace talks remain suspended between the ELN and the Government of Colombia. We urge the parties to resume peace talks and encourage the government to prioritize discussions that are likely to yield results.
We commend the progress made by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace for the issuance of the first long-awaited sentences. We encourage strengthened coordination among the government and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation without further delay.
We continue to emphasize the importance of legal certainty for those under the jurisdiction of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
In closing, President, the A3+ reiterates our unwavering support to the Government and people of Colombia in pursuing sustainable peace. We reaffirm our support for the United Nations Verification Mission (UNVM), recognizing the significance of their work in the implementation of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement.
I thank you.