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Statement delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn-Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, on behalf of the A3+, at the United Nations Security Council briefing on the situation in Colombia

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Mr. President

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and my own country, Guyana.

2. We thank SRSG Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his briefing and commend him and the UN Monitoring and Verification Mission team in Colombia for their invaluable work.

3. We have also listened carefully to civil society representative, Ms. Hilda Beatriz Molano Casas, Coordinator of the Technical Secretariat of COALICO.

4. We welcome the participation of Her Excellency Ms. Laura Camilia Sarabia Torres, Minister of Foreign Minister of Affairs, in today’s meeting.

Mr. President

5. The A3+ commends the Government and people of Colombia for their commitment to the implementation of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement. As the agreement is in its eighth year - just over the halfway mark of its duration - it is at a critical juncture.

6. While many challenges persist, it is clear that the implementation of the Peace Agreement still has the potential to be a positive example for the rest of the world. A simple comparison is the marked improvement in Colombia today compared to when the Agreement was signed in 2016.

7. As highlighted in the Secretary General’s report, the need to stay the course cannot be overstated. It is encouraging to see that political will remains strong. However, this must now be translated into accelerated implementation with tangible deliverables.

Mr. President

8. The A3+ takes positive note of the government’s continued efforts to prioritize rural reform, foster socio-economic development, and address the problem of illegal economies, but is concerned that they continue to be hampered by limited institutional capabilities and proper coordination, security risks, and budget cuts.

9. A central pillar of rural reform is land reform. We note that 45.9% of the target for formalization of tenure for those already in possession of land has been completed and commend the Government for this achievement. However, we are concerned that only 6% of the target for those with no land has been delivered, and that restitution for land wrongfully taken during the conflict remains a pressing issue, with no progress made in the ethnic territories prioritized under the Ethnic Chapter. We urge the Government to further accelerate the process of rural reform.

10. The A3+ is encouraged that the great majority of the almost 14000 former combatants of the FARC-EP, who laid down their arms following the signing of the Agreement in 2016, remains committed to the reintegration process. The advancement of several projects by the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization (ARN) is therefore a welcomed development and we take note of the Government's commitment to funding the ARN, by allocating the requested resources for 2025.

Mr. President

11. The A3+ remain seriously concerned about the persistent slow implementation of the Ethnic Chapter. We note that progress on the Pact to implement 60 percent by 2026 remains limited and reiterate our call for effective coordination and for the Government to redouble its efforts and to give equal attention to process and tangible results. We reiterate that progress in the implementation of the Ethnic Chapter is fundamental to addressing the historical and structural marginalization of Afro-descendants and Indigenous Peoples.

12. The security situation also remains concerning. Clashes between armed groups, along with the systematic targeting and threats against civilians have led to increased displacement and confinement, particularly impacting Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. In light of these issues, we call for stronger State presence and more effective prevention and protection measures in communities, especially the affected regions, as well as ensuring the full implementation of the security guarantees provisions of the Final Agreement.

13. The A3+ regrets the setbacks with the ELN and call on the parties to return to the negotiating table. We commend the Government for continuing to seek peace through dialogue with other illegal armed groups and call for the prioritization of those dialogues that are likely to yield results, with the objective of ending the violence and further alleviating the suffering of the Colombian people.

14. We emphasize that perpetrators must be held accountable. In this regard, we take note of the reinstated arrest warrants by the Attorney General for members of the ELN due to the recent attack in Catatumbo by the armed group.

Mr. President

15. We strongly condemn the continued recruitment and use of children in this armed conflict. We stress that the use of children in armed conflict is against international law and call upon all armed groups to release the children within their ranks. We call on the Government to continue strengthening its efforts to prevent the recruitment and use of children in Colombia.

16. We acknowledge the gender provisions outlined in the Agreement, which aim to implement specific actions that ensure equal access for women to programs and initiatives, as well as to facilitate their participation in peace-building efforts. Additionally, we recognize the challenges women face in accessing decision-making spaces, land, and employment opportunities. It is crucial to emphasize that women's inclusivity is essential for achieving lasting peace and stability.

17. The A3+ commends the progress made by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) and looks forward to the issuance of the long-awaited sentences. We remain concerned that the transitional justice process has been impacted by violence against individuals appearing before the SJP. We urge increased protection measures in this regard.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of legal certainty for all individuals under the jurisdiction of the SJP.

18. In closing, Mr. 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 ensuring the success of the peace process. We express our gratitude for their dedicated efforts in facilitating the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

I thank you.

A3+