United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: draft resolution (S/2024/789)
Date: 30 October 2024
Submitted by: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The Security Council,
Reaffirming its full commitment to the peace process in the Republic of Colombia,
Recalling all its resolutions and Presidential and press statements regarding the peace process in Colombia,
Welcoming the progress made towards peace across Colombia since the adoption of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace (the Final Agreement), urging the parties, with the support of relevant state institutions and security forces, as well as civil society including women and youth, to work together to continue building upon this progress and address ongoing challenges, in particular the continued violence in conflict-affected areas, through comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement, including rural reform, inclusive political participation, its ethnic and gender provisions, and countering illicit drugs including through crop substitution programmes, and recalling the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women and its effects on persons belonging to Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities as well as children,
Taking note of the engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission with the Government of Colombia and the Security Council, particularly on rural reform, the Ethnic Chapter and Transitional Justice, and looking forward to further cooperation, including with the relevant UN agencies, funds and programmes in order to ensure an integrated and coherent approach to the comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement,
Recalling in particular its resolution 2366 (2017) which established the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (the Verification Mission) to verify implementation by the Government of Colombia and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) of sections 3.2 and 3.4 of the Final Agreement as called for in section 6.3.3 of the Final Agreement, and recalling the positive role played by the Verification Mission in that regard, in verifying the implementation of reintegration efforts and comprehensive security guarantees for former combatants and communities and emphasizing the efforts of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia to continue to integrate a gender perspective as a cross-cutting issue into its planning, verification and reporting, and recognizing the importance of other perspectives including development, and ensuring adequate gender expertise as appropriate, and continuing support, within its current mandate, for victims and survivors of conflict
including from sexual and gender-based violence, in particular their referral to safe
and accessible assistance provided by the relevant Colombian authorities,
        Recalling also its resolution 2574 (2021) which expanded the mandate of the
Verification Mission to include the additional task of verifying compliance with and
implementation of the sentences to be issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace
(SJP), and welcoming the ongoing preparations being made by the Verification
Mission, working with the SJP, in this regard,
        Noting that, under the terms of the Final Agreement, the sentences of the SJP
will have the overall aim of realizing the rights of victims and consolidating peace,
and will need to have the greatest restorative and reparative function in relation to the
harm caused,
        Recognizing the contribution the Verification Mission could make to building
confidence in the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and
Non-Repetition established under the Final Agreement, which is integral to the
success of the peace process and the fulfilment of the rights of the victims of the
conflict,
        Recalling its resolution 2673 (2023) which expanded the mandate of the
Verification Mission to include the additional task of monitoring the implementation
of section 1 on comprehensive rural reform and section 6.2 on the Ethnic Chapter of
the Final Agreement, and emphasizing the crucial role of implementing a
comprehensive rural reform, including issues of land access and rural development,
in tackling structural factors underlying the conflict, and underlining importance of
implementation of the Ethnic Chapter, which is a critical aspect of the Peace
Agreement,
        Recalling also its resolution 2694 (2023) which expanded the mandate of the
Verification Mission and reaffirming the authorization of the additional deployments
in resolution 2694 (2023) to facilitate the effective implementation of its mandate,
        Expressing its hope that the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de
Liberación Nacional (ELN) will be able to reestablish their bilateral ceasefire and
recalling the Secretary-General’s proposal to keep the Council abreast of
developments including conflict dynamics at local levels between armed groups,
        Reiterating its willingness to consider mandating the Verification Mission to
monitor and verify the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between the
Government of Colombia and the structures and fronts of the armed group who remain
engaged in peace negotiations that calls itself Estado Mayor Central Fuerzas Armadas
Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (EMC FARC-EP) when the
Secretary-General confirms conditions, including a ceasefire with appropriate
verification protocols, have been reached, and taking into account an update from the
Secretary-General on the progress of implementation of resolution 2694 (2023),
        Recalling the importance of continued implementation of the 2016 Final Peace
Agreement, as set out in Resolution 2307 (2016) and welcoming the Government of
Colombia’s efforts to seek broader peace through dialogue and stressing the
importance of strengthening the State’s presence across conflict-affected regions for
transforming the territories and recognizing that ceasefire agreements are a step
towards the development of more comprehensive peace agreements,
        Underlining in this regard the primary importance of the UN Verification
Mission in supporting the full implementation of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement and
acknowledging the role of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in
supporting the political peace dialogues to date and stressing the need to keep the
Council abreast of these activities.
1. Decides to extend the mandate of the Verification Mission until 31 October 2025;
2. Expresses its willingness to work with the Government of Colombia on the further extension of the mandate of the Verification Mission on the basis of agreement between the parties.


Statements at the meeting:

representative: Mr. Geng Shuang (spoke in Chinese)
country: China
statement: I welcome the presence of Foreign Minister Murillo of Colombia at today’s meeting.
China welcomes the Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2754 (2024), which extends the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for one year, which once again reflects the high level of confidence and strong support of the Security Council and of the international community for the peace process in Colombia.
The resolution urges all Colombian parties to unite and cooperate in the full and sustained implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and emphasizes that advancing rural reform and promoting rural development are essential to eliminating the root causes underlying the conflict. China recognizes the outstanding efforts that have been made by the Colombian Government to coordinate with all parties to implement the agreement, especially in the area
of development for peace. We hope and believe that

the rapid response plan formulated by the Colombian
Government will be effectively implemented so as
to continuously bring about the benefits of peace
and development.
     The resolution welcomes the Colombian
Government’s efforts to achieve broader peace through
dialogue and hopes that a ceasefire will soon be restored
between the Colombian Government and the Ejército
de Liberación Nacional. The resolution reiterates its
willingness to consider the expansion of the Mission’s
mandate after a ceasefire agreement is reached between
the Government and the Estado Mayor Central. China
hopes that the relevant negotiations will proceed
smoothly to effectively improve the security situation
and expand the area at peace.
     The resolution recognizes the Mission for its
important role in supporting the implementation of the
peace agreement and the promotion of dialogue and
negotiations. China will continue to support the Mission
and Special Representative of the Secretary-General
Massieu in effectively discharging their duties. China
expects the Mission to strengthen its communication
and coordination with all Colombian parties and make
greater contributions to supporting the peace process
in Colombia.
     China stands ready to work with the international
community to continue to support the Colombian-
led, Colombian-owned peace process and help the
Colombian people move forward towards the goal of
comprehensive peace, stability and development so as
to build a model of dialogue for de-escalating conflicts
and development for peace.

representative: Mr. Yamazaki
country: Japan
statement: I would like to thank the
United Kingdom, as the penholder, for its efforts to
incorporate recent developments into the comprehensive
text. Japan welcomes the Security Council’s unanimous
adoption of the resolution (resolution 2754 (2024)) to
extend the mandate of the United Nations Verification
Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) for another year. Its
adoption reinforces the international community’s
dedication to supporting sustainable peace in Colombia.
     We would like to highlight the reference to
three focus areas of the latest written advice of the
Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), namely, rural
reform, the ethnic chapter and transitional justice. As
a long-standing member of the PBC, Japan assures the
Council that the PBC carefully selected those areas
based on its cross-regional approach and discussions
at meetings requested by Colombia. The PBC’s advice
is also based on informal coordination among related
stakeholders, as well as information collected from
Peacebuilding Fund projects in Colombia, totalling
more than $60 million since 2014.
     We note that the Council has expressed its deep
concern about the status of the implementation of
the ethnic chapter and has emphasized the critical
importance of implementing comprehensive
rural reform. We welcome that as a positive step
forward in the Council’s use of the PBC and encourage
Council members and Colombia to fully utilize
the PBC’s advisory, bridging and convening role,
particularly in those three areas. Japan also looks
forward to seeing the continued advancement of the
PBC’s expertise, thereby contributing to a refined PBC
advisory role and further engagements. Japan believes
that such cooperation will foster coherent and effective
support for Colombia’s comprehensive peace process.
Moreover, we welcome the fact that the resolution
emphasizes the Mission’s continued support for victims
and survivors of conflict, including those affected by
sexual and gender-based violence.
     In conclusion, Japan reaffirms its unwavering
support for the UNVMC and remains committed to
supporting Colombia’s peace process.

representative: Mr. Montalvo Sosa (spoke in Spanish)
country: Ecuador
statement: Success in bringing peace to Colombia is success for the
region. With that, I would like to welcome the Minister
for Foreign Affairs of Columbia to the Chamber. His
presence represents a clear political sign from the
State’s highest level of leadership to advance the peace
process. We also thank the United Kingdom for its work
as penholder of the resolution (resolution 2754 (2024)).
Its unanimous adoption, which extends the mandate of
the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia
for another 12 months, reflects the Security Council’s
support for the Mission. But, above all, it conveys its
strong support for 2016 Final Agreement for Ending
the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace,
signed between the Government of Colombia and
the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-
Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP).
     The mandate of the Verification Mission has
been strengthened in crucial peacebuilding aspects,
such as the need to accelerate the implementation of
the extremely important ethnic chapter, which will
also allow for progress in one of the fundamental
areas of the peace process. It also allows for ensuring
the inclusion and the protection of Indigenous and
Afrodescendant communities and protecting women
and girls from sexual and gender-based violence. It also reflects the need to address the underlying causes of violence by increasing State presence throughout the country, especially in regions affected by the conflict and rural areas, so as to eradicate illegal economies that fuel transnational organized crime, which uses every form of violence against the population. That can be realized by accelerating agrarian reform in the country. We have seen that the Colombian authorities are also making significant progress in that process.
      I will my statement by reaffirming that Colombia is not alone in the search for sustainable and dignified peace.      The      Security        Council        and     the    international community stand with it.

representative: Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett
country: Guyana
statement: We welcome the participation of His Excellency Mr. Luis Gilberto Murillo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, at this meeting. The three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, and my own country, Guyana, (A3+) welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2754 (2024), on the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, and thanks the United Kingdom for its dedicated efforts in delivering a consensus text.
      The unanimous adoption today demonstrates the Council’s        continued         commitment             to   supporting          the Government and the people of Colombia to implement the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and achieve stable and lasting peace. As the peace agreement is approaching its    eighth       year      of    implementation,               the     progress achieved thus far is commendable. The A3+ believes that Colombia remains a success story in progress even with the challenges still to be surmounted. However, in order to maintain and accelerate the progress, efforts must be intensified, including to enhance coordination at all levels, which we hope will be achieved through the recent rapid response plan.
      Having          expressed            our      concern          about         the implementation of the ethnic chapter on a number of occasions, we welcome the inclusion of language that underlines the importance of implementing the chapter as a critical aspect of the peace agreement and hope that more impetus will be given to its implementation. We also welcome the inclusion of language on women and peace and security, which will allow for the referral of victims and survivors, including from sexual and gender-based           violence        to   have      safe     and      accessible assistance. In addition, we are pleased for the inclusion of   language         that    acknowledges             the    participation         of women in the peace process in Colombia, as well as the impact of the conflict on children.
      In conclusion, the A3+ takes this opportunity to reiterate its unwavering support for the Verification Mission and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu. We commend him and his team in Colombia for their very important work. Their support for the people and the Government of Colombia as they continue the implementation of the peace agreement is crucial to lasting peace in Colombia.

representative: The       President
country: spoke in French
statement: I  shall      now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Switzerland.
      I would also like to begin by thanking the penholder, the United Kingdom, as well as all members of the Security Council for their efforts to reach a unanimous decision, which sends a strong signal in favour of peace in Colombia.
      I also welcome the presence of Foreign Minister Murillo         among         us,     which         reaffirms         Colombia’s continued partnership with the Council.
      Switzerland           has     always       stood       up    for    women’s input and political participation in the peace process in Colombia. We are pleased to have advocated for a mandate that emphasizes the role of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia in supporting victims and survivors of the conflict, including those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Ensuring that victims and survivors have access to safe and accessible services        provided        by     the    Colombian           authorities        is critical to advancing justice and dealing with the past. In addition, providing accurate information concerning such incidents directly strengthens Colombia’s ability to develop and implement effective national strategies to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, a goal that deserves our unwavering support.
      As     this     will     be    Switzerland’s           last    intervention on Colombia as a member of the Council, I would like to stress that our commitment to the Colombian peace       process       will     remain        firm.      Switzerland           will continue to support the full implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and will gladly assume its responsibilities as a guarantor and supporting country of the peace talks.
      I resume my functions as President of the Council.
      I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

representative: Mr. Murillo (spoke in Spanish)
country: Colombia
statement: I thank Her Excellency Mrs. Pascale Baeriswyl, Permanent Representative of Switzerland and President of the Security Council, for her continued support, with a constant focus on the central role and empowerment of women and the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. I also thank Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom and penholder on the Colombia dossier, for her invaluable support and leadership in the Security Council, while always underscoring Colombia’s participation, and for spearheading and supporting this resolution (resolution 2754 (2024)). On behalf of the Colombian people, I thank them both.

I would like to begin by highlighting the presence of our General Director of the National Planning Department of Colombia, Mr. Alexander López Maya, who is with us today and who is heading budget and financing aspects related to the implementation of the historic 2016 agreement, in particular the rapid response plan for its implementation. I am grateful to each and every member of the Security Council for their unanimous support for peace in Colombia, the implementation of the historic 2016 peace agreement and the Colombian Government’s “total peace” policy that is centred on victims, territories, ethnic groups, farmers, women, children, adolescents and youth.

That support is of particular relevance in the context of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is currently being held in Cali under the theme Peace with Nature. It is a historic event during which the country and the world can reaffirm their commitment to peace that transcends borders and encompasses the preservation of our biodiversity. Peace with nature is also peace with people.

Pursuant to resolution 2754 (2024), the extension of mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia until 31 October 2025 is very meaningful for us and clearly demonstrates the continued and unanimous support of the international community, especially the Council, for building peace and stability in our country.

This year has been special in terms of the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, in particular with regard to the Council, which had the opportunity to visit Colombia and learn at first-hand about our efforts to that end. Accordingly, I invite Council members to celebrate another anniversary of the peace agreement that will take place in Oslo, as Norway is a guarantor of the peace agreement. It has indeed been a very special year. Obviously, the national Government carried out a precise and transparent evaluation of the progress in the implementation of the agreement, as well as the challenges. For example, we made progress on the bilateral aspects of the agreement, which included the participation of the President of the Republic and a representative of the high contracting party of the peace agreement signatories at one of several meetings. The President explained to Council members the challenges that we face and announced the rapid response plan to overcome them. And, on 15 October, the rapid response plan to accelerate the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement was introduced.

We are aware of the challenges we face, but with the same resolve that was announced on 11 July, we are convinced that we have taken the appropriate measures to overcome them. The national Government’s commitment to peace is evident in its political and budgetary decisions. For the four years of the current Government, investments were estimated at more than 14 billion pesos, which is integral to fulfilling the terms of agreement and exceeds by 1 billion pesos the resources that were made available in previous periods. As of August 2024, we have increased investment and budgetary allocations through the national investment for peace budget, and 40 per cent of the resources necessary have been committed.

Peace in Colombia is a process that is in motion and cannot be reversed. To that end, we will continue working to fulfil the agreement, transform the territories and spread peace throughout the country. Peace in Colombia is not only a national goal, but also an opportunity that we share with the world. We have the best ally in the world to build peace in Colombia — the United Nations. We have before us today a unique opportunity. The support and collaboration of the Security Council are invaluable. Let us work together for peace so that every step towards reconciliation translates into hope and opportunities in the daily lives of our people.

The meeting rose at 3.25 p.m.