YouSaid · the spoken record

Mejia Velez

lines on the record: 246
first: 2014-03-07
most recent: 2018-08-29
sittings or episodes: 42
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We are on the right path, even if it is not an entirely satisfactory one, and the Council should apply the notion of mediation in the quest for more holistic approaches to conflict resolution.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Such efforts certainly extended the possibilities for the success we have enjoyed to date and which will surely continue to be crucial in the long journey ahead towards the implementation of the peace agreement. AsmanyCouncilmembershavealreadyhighlighted, we reiterate that the participation of women must be central to and are key in the resolution of conflicts. It is not an option; it is a decision. As Ms. Qadeem mentioned, conflicts are hugely diverse, from Nepal to Colombia. Regardless of the type of conflict, women must be present prior to, during and - above all - after the negotiations in the implementation phase of an agreement. No matter the type of conflict, be it in Africa or America, it has been proven that when women participate, the likelihood ofpeace being lasting, stable and sustainable automatically increases.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“In the concept note presented (S/2018/586, annex), the importance of improving mediation capacities is highlighted not only at the local and national levels, but of course at the regional level. Here, I would like to focus on how essential role of regional organizations, especially in the case of the Colombian conflict. As in the case ofour own agreement, this critical connection to regional organizations allowed us to retain our national ownership and inclusive approacht. We underscore the contributions of neighbouring States, observers and the Organization of American States, in highlighting the value of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations to mediation efforts and to strengthening coordinated work between the United Nations and regional organizations.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“The examples cited have been most valuable in taking us straight to the heart of the debate. As several members of the Council and Member States alike have reiterated, over the past decade the notion of mediation has been strengthened as a indispensable mechanism in conflict resolution. That is certainly reflected in the leadership of the Secretary- General, which has overseen the implementation of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture and the establishment of the High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation. It has been very important for us to witness the collective vision embraced by the integration of the Board on Mediation and the approval by the General Assembly and Member States of the reform of the Organization. All these efforts have made it possible to promote the prevention of conflict as part of diplomacy for peace.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I thank you, Mr. President, and your delegation for convening this open debate on a very important issue for Colombia as a member of the Group of Friends of Mediation. I take this opportunity to thank the Ambassador of Turkey, who spoke on behalf of the Group. The contributions of your country, Mr. President, and of the Security Council to the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, which ended a five decade-long conflict in Colombia, as well as to its implementation through the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, is a clear demonstration of the value of multilateralism in conflict resolution. This is a topic of utmost importance this morning. I thank the Archbishop of Canterbury for his comments, as well as Ms. Mossarat Qadeem for hers.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Council members and the Swedish delegation, which follows this issue closely, can continue to count on Colombia's commitment during the implementation of the post-conflict phase, in particular with regard to indigenous children and those of African descent, as well as children living in marginalized areas. As Yenny said, we have to keep working to provide, if not her, at least her daughter, and all children affected by various conflicts, with a better future.”
2018-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8305 (2018) · source
“We consider that good news because it allows our institutions to continue to work to strengthen strategies that seek to create environments and spaces for prevention and protection, in particular in rural parts of Colombia, which Yenny spoke about this morning. I would also like to share with the Council our experience with the coordinated work we have been doing with the Office of the Special Representative in recent years, which has involved a coordinated effort among Governments and could be used in other areas of the world. In May, in Bogota, we were able to hear about comparable experiences in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sierra Leone and Colombia, which helped us identify challenges and possibles solutions.”
2018-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8305 (2018) · source
“The situation of children has been particularly difficult in recent decades. Of the more than 8 million victims of the armed conflict, almost 39 per cent have been children and adolescents, which is an awful and very high figure. Between 2013 and 2018, 410,934 children were recorded as victims ofthe conflict and are on their way to reparation. We are therefore grateful for the annual report presented by the Special Representative (S/2018/465), which acknowledges the progress achieved thanks to the peace process and removes the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo as a recruiting group from its annexes, following its transformation into a political party.”
2018-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8305 (2018) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank you, Mr. President, and your Government for convening this very important open debate and for your ongoing commitment to the Colombian conflict, which, as Council members were able to see first hand today with the emotional participation of my compatriot, Ms. Yenny Londofio, is a flesh-and-blood reality in many conflict affected countries. I welcome the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UNICEF, with whom we have been working very closely for a long time. As stated in the concept note (S/2018/625, annex), the protection and care of children who have been affected by armed conflict are fundamental to achieving sustainable peace and successful reintegration is the cornerstone of any peace process. Colombia has been no exception.”
2018-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8305 (2018) · source
“That is why we persevere in our efforts - so that services, justice and reparations can reach the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“At this stage, we need to pay special attention to access to justice and reparations for victims of the armed conflict, because we cannot forget that 51 per cent of the officially registered victims of the armed conflict are women. That is why we have established a gender perspective as part of our targeted approach. We are applying the strategy of individual reparations for female victims of sexual violence, notjust in the Special Jurisdiction but also with regard to ordinary cases, and we are making enormous efforts to emphasize that and to resolve every case. Colombia is firmly committed and feels a tremendous responsibility to the international community and our own communities. As the Special Representative said this morning, the story of sexual violence and war has been a story of denial. Nothing can be resolved through silence.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“For the first time in our country, 28 of the 51 judges in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace are women, and a woman now presides over the court. The missing persons search unit is led by a female director. Women compose 54 per cent of the comprehensive system, which reflects their interest and their right in applying the provisions of the Agreement related to gender. Colombia recognizes the need to ensure accountability for sexual violence crimes committed in the context of the conflict. That is why last month, the new director of the office for investigations and prosecutions indicated that the composition of that particular group is being worked on, with the aim of investigating all cases of sexual violence that occurred in the context of the armed conflict.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“In recognition of that, within our new institutions we have established a specialized gender unit, made up of women leaders, that will help us achieve the changes that the Peace Agreement identifies as needed in order to offer women - especially the rural women who were most affected by the decades of conflict on their land - better living conditions that can help to empower them and bring them the economic independence that can break the eternal cycle of Violence that tramples on their rights. The Peace Agreement establishes the creation of a comprehensive system of transitional justice that includes various legal and non-legal mechanisms. The members of those institutions were elected in September.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Colombia recognizes that the signing of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace does not actually constitute peace in itself, but it is a necessary step towards the changes that we need to bring about the peaceful and reconciled society that we in our region and the international community have so longed for. Colombia has been adapting its constitutional framework to respond to the challenges that we face after more than 50 years of armed conflict, and the role of women will unquestionably be key to implementing it.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): Given that this is my first statement with Peru as President, allow me to congratulate you, Sir, and to thank you for convening this open debate. I also thank the Deputy Secretary-General, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence and Conflict and, ofcourse, Ms. Razia Sultana and her organization for their briefings today. The Secretary-General's report (S/2018/250) before the Council highlights Colombia's efforts to make gender justice a central issue throughout its peace process and in its efforts to tackle cases of sexual violence in conflict.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Following the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report (S/2017/939), we support the efforts of UNODC and other agencies in the United Nations system with experience in the fight against trafficking to help Member States combat it. Our goal is zero trafficking. Let us commit to stronger cooperation for decisive global action that can put an end to the abominable trade of human beings forever.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Many countries simultaneously become points of origin, transit and destination for victims, which makes the process of preventing such crimes and investigating and prosecuting criminal organizations and the links between them much more difficult. We join those who have been promoting the universal ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children supplementary to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It has served as a platform for Colombia to accede to and implement eight memorandums of understanding and bilateral agreements with countries in our region.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Next year's intergovernmental conference on migration in the General Assembly will be an opportunity for all of us to adopt a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration and will create an additional framework for cooperation among States. As the concept note says so eloquently, such mechanisms, agreements and plans will enable us to continue to eliminate the legal loopholes that organized crime takes advantage of in our countries by increasing the exchange of good practices and lessons learned on ways in which Member States can tackle such transnational crime more effectively. Colombia considers trafficking in persons as a type of transnational organized crime.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“By its nature and its global effects, trafficking in persons, a twenty-first-century form of slavery, leads to serious violations of human rights whose effects have touched my country too. Every year we identify and assist many victims of crimes that range from sexual exploitation to forced labour and begging. For that reason, we welcome the renewed support for the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, shown by the General Assembly's adoption in September of the political declaration on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (resolution 72/1), along with the various related Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which are unequivocal, as well as the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, which adopted at the high-level meeting on refugees and migrants in 2016.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank you, Mr. President, and your country, Italy, for convening today's open debate and for the concept note (S/2017/972, annex ) that you have prepared for us. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and, of course, Ms. Giammarinaro, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, for their briefings. I echo the words of so many who have preceded me in emphasizing the horror of the images that we have seen on television of slavery in the Mediterranean, showing human beings being sold like merchandise, and the condemnation of the Secretary-General, which says it all. Slavery has no place in our world.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Colombia is determined to ensure that children are not being used in armed conflict, while also working to prevent re-recruitment, with particular concern for minors of indigenous minorities and Afro- descendant communities and those in marginalized areas, through activities aimed at protecting them from all human rights violations. We are committed not only to preventing future cases of recruitment, but also to providing children and adolescents who have been released with other options. As stated earlier today by your Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Madam President, the path to reconciliation and a fair and just society must begin with children themselves and, in particular, with a focus on their education, because they are the future.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Another important step was the establishment of the National Reincorporation Council, which endorsed the special programme entitled "A Different Way of Life". The programme features a series of special measures to reintegrate minors under the age of 18 who were released from the ranks of the FARC, and seeks to ensure that its young beneficiaries have the tools necessary to help them make new plans and rebuild their lives. It works to fully restore their rights, and compensate, reincorporate and include them in society. There has been a clear reduction in the number of cases of recruitment over the years. Nonetheless, let us continue to work on reducing the number of cases of recruitment, with a View to ending that practice once and for all.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Regrettably, Colombia is not a stranger to that problem, owing to an internal conflict that lasted more than five decades, with which the Council is very familiar. Nonetheless, more than 20 years ago, long before other countries were facing realities like ours, we prohibited the recruitment of minors under 18 years of age into our national forces. Today, those responsible for the recruitment of minors are solely the illegal armed groups. Not only did the peace process end the conflict, it also put victims, including children who were recruited, at the centre of the process. As the Security Council can attest at first hand, over the past year 132 minors were released by the FARC and are now being protected by the State in order to have their rights fully restored.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Gamba's Visit to Colombia in November will provide an excellent opportunity to go into further detail on the road map that we will engage in together. As mentioned in the concept note (S/2017/892, annex), the complex and changing nature of armed conflict represents one of the greatest challenges for child protection. We agree with you, Madam, in recognizing that, during the 10 years since the International Conference in Paris on children involved in armed forces and armed groups, some progress has been made, despite the changing nature of conflicts. As evidenced by this year's conference, we must renew the commitment of States to combat the recruitment and use of minors by armed forces and other groups.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank you, Madam President, on behalf of my Government, for convening this open debate. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Antenio Guterres for his report (S/2017/821) and to welcome Mr. Mubin Shaikh and thank him for his valuable briefing this morning. My Government would also like to thank Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, for her recognition of the results achieved by the Colombian State, including in her briefing. We reiterate our commitment to continuing to work together to ensure that the violations committed against children do not recur. We are sure that Mr.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“The Colombian Government will continue to contribute our men and women police officers and to provide training in our country, focusing in particular on the training of Haitian women police officers, who will undoubtedly play a key role in the coexistence and security of their communities, within the framework of the strategic development plan established by the Haitian National Police. If we all pool our efforts to preserve the progress made and overcome the tremendous challenges and obstacles that remain, particularly in the area of economic and social development, with the ongoing support of the country team, we are sure that the brave people of Haiti, with whom Colombia has stood since their independence, will be able to reach their maximum potential.”
2017-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8068 (2017) · source
“We are convinced of the value of the role played by MINUSTAH in guaranteeing and ensuring stability and security in the country up to a point of no return, whose logical consequence was to develop and transition towards a quest for justice and the strengthening of the rule of law. As President Juan Manuel Santos said in this very Chamber when we held the presidency of the Council in 2012, this is a natural transition, a transition from a peacekeeping operation to a genuine operation focused on development. The actions undertaken to ensure that the Haitian people have a strengthened and professional national police force have the full support of Latin America, as has been made clear here.”
2017-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8068 (2017) · source
“She has brought honour to her post and to her gender through her efforts for the Mission, her leadership and her commitment. Above all I would stress, as the Ambassador just stated, the work she has done in recent years, which has promoted coordinated efforts with the national authorities, the Government and Haitian society, including in difficult periods of political instability, in which the commitment of all sectors and national ownership were key. I thank Ms. Honore and her team and all her predecessors, some of whom paid with their lives in that effort. Colombia endorses the statement delivered by the representative of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti.”
2017-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8068 (2017) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I thank France and you personally, Madam Ambassador, for having convened this meeting, which marks the official closure of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) after 13 long years. We have mixed feelings today, because now we can say that it is possible to have United Nations missions that conclude their mandates and move into new phases, as in this case, where MINUSTAH is transitioning to the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) in order to strengthen Haitian institutions and be able to respond adequately to the challenges that all democracies face, as Ambassador Regis just noted in his statement. I would echo the words of appreciation expressed here in connection with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honore.”
2017-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8068 (2017) · source
“Secondly, on behalf of the Government and people of Colombia, I would like to thank the parties involved in this endeavour and for the vote of confidence in us, which we hope to repay through a successful conclusion ofthe peace process and the 101-day bilateral ceasefire. The meeting rose at 3.40 p.m.”
2017-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8063 (2017) · source
“Jeffrey Feltman and the Department of Political Affairs, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jean Arnault, which made a significant contribution to the process. He is now tasked with maintaining a gender perspective in the forces and the group of observers assisting us, and the vision for the region. The way in which the region united to support the two missions was remarkable. The region also stands with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional to foster dialogue in Havana and Quito, and by providing support with troops, civilian observers and unarmed soldiers. It will also be providing civilian observers for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.”
2017-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8063 (2017) · source
“It helped us to provide a very swift response to the needs expressed by the parties - through the Government and the Catholic Church, which we thank - by tabling today's resolution in a time frame that shows that the Security Council has flexible mechanisms through which the specific duties of a second special political mission could be assigned. That mission began on 26 September. We believe that the ceasefire was a historic undertaking for the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, a guerilla organization, which has never in its 53 years - as it is older than the FARC- EP - signed a bilateral ceasefire. We believe that this bodes well for the future. In conclusion, I would like to make two points. First, I would like to highlight the teamwork undertaken with Mr.”
2017-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8063 (2017) · source
“It is a tribute not only to the Government of Colombia, the parties, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and the Ejercito de Liberacien Nacional, but to the Colombian people, who acknowledge that they wish to rewrite the pages of history. We would like to, and we can, reverse the course of history as you, Sir, have just stated. I would like to thank the United Kingdom for its invaluable efforts as penholder of resolution 2381 (2017). Its ongoing support was key to the Council's agility.”
2017-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8063 (2017) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on steering the work of the Security Council this month and for convening today's meeting. I would also like to congratulate the members of the Security Council on their vote of confidence in Colombia and in its efforts to build peace, through their unanimous adoption of resolution 2381 (2017), authorizing the United Nations Mission in Colombia to monitor and verify the temporary national bilateral ceasefire with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, for a period of 101 days. Iwould also like to thank the members ofthe Security Council for the statement adopted on their behalf, as it recognizes the historic progress that we have made.”
2017-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8063 (2017) · source
“I cannot conclude without expressing my thanks for the demonstration of support we have seen to the bilateral and temporary ceasefire recently announced between the Government and the National Liberation Army, which will come into force on 1 October for an initial period of 102 days. The people of Colombia firmly believe that these new developments will open up infinite possibilities for a nation where reconciliation and the rebuilding of a collective peace will eventually strengthen our democracy that will help the entire region and, needless to say, improve the living conditions not just of Colombians in urban centres but also of those in rural areas. I thank the Council once again. The meeting rose at 10.40 am.”
2017-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8049 (2017) · source
“We realize that the challenge is enormous, but in the past months the Council has witnessed the actions that have been taken, step by step, despite the obstacles and difficulties, by the parties to accomplish the ceasefire, the demobilization of the combatants of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia and their definitive laying down of arms and, currently, the neutralization of weapons, a vital process that reaffirms their political will. As Council members are aware, this is a crucial though very difficult time, which demands all of our political will and the Council's support. We have been greatly helped by the participation of the international community and the observers from the countries of the region and elsewhere. We can all agree that their support has been effective.”
2017-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8049 (2017) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): 1 would like to thank you, Mr. President, and the members of the Council for convening this meeting. The Council's unanimous co-sponsorhip and adoption of resolution 2377 (2017), containing the Secretary-General's recommendations, is a new demonstration of support to Colombia and will be important in achieving peace in our country. We would also like to thank the United Kingdom, the penholder of the resolution, for its continued support, and, of course, the Secretary-General and the team of Mr. Jean Arnault, Special Representative of the Secretary- General, for their support and unswerving commitment to peace and reconciliation in Colombia.”
2017-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8049 (2017) · source
“In that regard, President Santos Calderon has submitted a request to the Secretary-General that the United Nations be part of the oversight of the temporary agreement. That piece of good news fills us with hope and renews our faith in a Colombia where coexistence prevails. That faith was mentioned here and by Pope Francis yesterday before departing from his five-day visit to Colombia. Peace is a duty that does not concede defeat. It demands everyone's commitment, despite obstacles, differences and the various approaches to achieve peaceful coexistence, and persists in the struggle to foster the "culture of encounter".”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“It is a specialized programme that recognizes them as victims, seeks the restoration of their rights, comprehensive reparations and social and economic reintegration. It provides support not just to the minors themselves, but to their families, host communities and relevant institutions. The Government of Colombia is aware of the immense challenge of carrying out those tasks and the coordination it will require - that too has been mentioned here. However, we remain willing and we honour our decision to implement the Agreement swiftly and efficiently so as to achieve the goal of stable and lasting peace. In conclusion, I am grateful for the expressions of support following the recent announcement by my Government and the Eje'rcito de Liberacion Nacional to begin a temporary bilateral ceasefire on 1 October, which will last for 102 days.”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“A total of 9,491 savings accounts have been opened for former combatants to enable them to receive financial support, in line with the provisions of the Agreement. Up to 30 August, disbursements equivalent to nearly $8 million had been made, and 3,840 national pension scheme memberships had been finalized. The national apprenticeship service has started providing support covering financial education, community project management, entrepreneurship, solidarity-based economics, integrated solid waste management and information and communication technology. It is very important to note, as has been highlighted here, that a special reintegration programme for minors was established, known as "A Different Way of Life".”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“The educational census will allow us to start the process to help many of them to become literate, through the implementation of flexible educational models in the former 26 zones. In all, 4,500 former members of the FARC-EP and 4,000 people in surrounding communities are taking part. The health census will serve as the basis for the development of a short- and medium-term strategy to meet needs in that area. An institutional resource matrix was also established, which will allow for overall well- being and provide psychosocial support, pensions, academic training, labour force and productivity training, initiatives in the areas of the arts, culture and sports and community endeavours. The process to facilitate financial inclusion and membership in the national pension scheme is being developed.”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“On 16 August, the so-called territorial areas for training and reincorporation were established, where activities are carried out to facilitate the initial phases of returning the members of the FARC to civilian life and to make a positive contribution to the surrounding communities. The national council for reintegration has held 44 meetings to lay the groundwork for planned projects and decision-making among the parties. Through decisions taken by council for reintegration, three censuses were carried out in order to clearly identify former combatants. The socioeconomic census covered 10,015 people and will provide the information required to facilitate and structure the long-term process of reintegrating members ofthe FARC into civilian life.”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“I would now like to address some of the points that we believe to be of greatest importance. To ensure coordination among all national entities responsible for implementing the Agreement and for decision-making at the highest level, a post-conflict cabinet was established, led by the President himself, who then appointed Vice-President Oscar Naranjo as the interlocutor for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. Eighty-seven pieces of legislation have been adopted, including five amendments to the political Constitution, so as to provide a solid legal structure to what was agreed upon and to form the basis for the political reform that allowed the FARC-EP to be registered as a political organization.”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“That demonstration of confidence gave our peace process a major impetus that not only resulted in that Final Agreement but also enabled us to move decisively towards implementing the agreements on reintegrating the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) into civil, economic, social and political life and achieving security guarantees. In the light of the provisions of resolution 2366 (2017), the Government of Colombia acknowledges that the Mission is a United Nations mission, in all respects, whose sole mandate is to verify that both the Colombian State and the FARC-EP comply fully with the commitments in items 3.2 and 3.4 of the Agreement. The report (S/2017/745) presented by the Special Representative acknowledges the progress made by the Government in implementing the Peace Agreement.”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“Ms. Mejia Velez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's meeting, and in particular Mr. Jean Arnault, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and his entire team, for their report (S/2017/745). On behalf of President Juan Manuel Santos Calderen, we would like to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General and the Security Council for the effectiveness of the work of the United Nations Mission in Colombia, the first special political Mission in our country, which will come to a successful end on 25 September. A long time before we signed the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, they made a bold bet on peace in Colombia.”
2017-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8041 (2017) · source
“It is for that reason that I would like to recall the words expressed here by President Santos Calderon when we presided over the Security Council in 2011: "Haitians yearn to be heard. An international community that does not take Haitians' views of their problems into account does not serve Haiti." (S/PV6510, p. 3)”
2017-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8005 (2017) · source
“In its 2017 report, the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti makes it clear that it will continue to work so that there is greater coordination among all actors involved in addressing the challenges facing Haitians when it comes not just to cholera, but generally with regard to human rights, political participation and sustainable development, so that they can respond to the challenges they will face once MINUSTAH departs and the new mission begins, while also improving prospects for development. The history of friendship and cooperation between Haiti and Colombia goes back to our own independence, when Haiti afforded Simon Bolivar an opportunity to restructure his troops and again take the path towards the independence of our peoples. We would therefore not be here were it not for that support.”
2017-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8005 (2017) · source
“The efforts undertaken to ensure that the Haitian people can count on a professional and more robust national police force enjoy the support of the Government of Colombia by way of our deployment of police, men and women, as well as the training provided in our country to women contingents of the Haitian National Police, to which we today commit to continue to support. Nevertheless, the next step must of course be to make progress in strengthening thejudicial system in such a way that the path towards justice includes the establishment ofa foundation conducive to improvements in the socioeconomic conditions of the entire population.”
2017-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8005 (2017) · source
“My country acknowledges the political process that Haiti has made, as the report and the Ambassador of Haiti describe, and which has unquestionably helped to bring an official end, starting on 25 October, to the activities of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and to usher in a new phase that can now focus on support to justice through the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). Colombia firmly believes that the path towards peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies goes hand in hand with the strength of their democratic institutions and the rule of law - a battle we will support Haiti in carrying out.”
2017-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8005 (2017) · source
“On Friday, during the General Assembly's adoption of resolution 71/ 314, on the new United Nations approach to cholera in Haiti, of which my country was a sponsor, it became clear that the United Nations has a greater impact on the ground with regard to its ethical duty when it implements its mandates on the basis of precise, comprehensive road maps that take into account the specifics of each case, thereby enabling it to improve its allocation of resources and efforts designed to deal with conflicts, humanitarian crises and, in this case, the consolidation of peace.”
2017-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8005 (2017) · source