Satement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Delandes, at the UNSC briefing on Colombia
15 July 2026, New York
Thank you, Mr. President.
I thank SRSG Miroslav Jenča for his comprehensive briefing.
At the outset, we would like to commend the Colombian authorities for carrying out a peaceful, democratic and orderly electoral process. We congratulate all Colombians for the record-high participation in the second-round vote on 21st June.
Now that the elections have successfully concluded, we encourage a smooth transition and constructive dialogue between the outgoing and incoming administrations to overcome polarization. We trust that the new administration will pursue inclusive and representative governance that reflects the aspirations of all Colombians.
Mr. President,
This year will mark ten years since the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Over the past decade, and under three successive governments, its implementation has delivered measurable progress for the Colombian people. The Agreement remains firmly embedded in Colombia’s constitutional framework and continues to be the only comprehensive framework for achieving lasting peace. The Peace Agreement has enabled Colombia to enjoy its most sustained period of peace in decades. It has tackled the origins of the conflict, promoted reconciliation and created opportunities for communities affected by violence. These achievements must be preserved, protected and built upon through the continued implementation of the Agreement.
We encourage the incoming administration to continue its close cooperation with the UN, particularly the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, recognizing that this partnership and engagement with the international community remain essential for the consolidation of sustainable peace through the architecture of the 2016 Peace Agreement.
Mr. President,
We welcome the progress achieved during this reporting period in implementing rural reform and reintegration. The reduction in rural poverty and the growing number of cooperatives established by former combatants demonstrate the tangible benefits of sustained implementation.
However, serious challenges remain and need continued committment and solutions.
We are deeply concerned by the expanding presence of illegal armed groups and the violence they continue to inflict on social leaders, former combatants, women, Indigenous Peoples and communities of African descent, who continue to be disproportionately affected by violence, displacement and other human rights violations. We underscore the need to strengthen the protection of these communities.
We are equally alarmed by the large number of Colombians subjected to forced home confinement as a result of illegal armed group control in conflict-affected departments of the country. Freedom of movement is a fundamental human right, and Colombia must ensure that all its citizens can exercise it safely.
We encourage the Colombian authorities to intensify their efforts to continue addressing the origins of the conflict, including illicit economies, and strengthen the State’s presence in conflict-affected territories for the security, safety and well-being of Colombian people.
Mr. President,
We underscore the continued importance of advancing gender equality, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and diversity and inclusion across all levels of Colombian society. As Colombia enters a new chapter, preserving gains achieved under the Peace agreement must include continued protection of Indigenous Peoples and communities of African descent, whose rights, participation and security remain indispensable to sustainable and inclusive peace.
Finally, we reaffirm our full support for the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. The trust it has earned among Colombians, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas, remains one of its greatest strengths. We are confident that the Mission, in close cooperation with the new Colombian government, will continue to play a vital role in supporting the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement and accompanying Colombia on its path toward lasting peace.
I thank you.