Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.
First, I would like to congratulate Colombia on the recent presidential elections.
I want to congratulate all of those involved, including the electoral authorities and the security forces, but above all the Colombian people, on a peaceful and transparent democratic process.
This Council and the UN Verification Mission have engaged effectively with successive Colombian Governments, and we look forward to working closely with President-elect de la Espriella and his team when they take office on 7 August.
President, the United Kingdom reaffirms its full commitment to the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Agreement, a landmark achievement which has delivered significant results towards lasting peace and stability for the Colombian people.
And we welcome the recent progress on rural reform and reintegration of former combatants.
However, as the Secretary General's report sets out, Colombia continues to face significant security challenges.
Armed groups are committing serious human rights abuses and driving criminality.
Signatories of the 2016 Peace Agreements, human rights defenders, and community leaders continue to be killed and harassed.
Cultivation of coca, production of cocaine, illegal mining, and environmental degradation have also grown in recent years.
We look forward to working with Colombia's new government to tackle these shared security challenges.
Implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement remains central to these efforts, as part of a comprehensive and sustainable approach to delivering peace, security, and stabilisation in Colombia.
Rural reform, political participation, reintegration, countering illicit drugs, and responding to the needs of victims must remain a key focus for implementation, particularly in Colombia's rural and conflict-affected communities, to ensure all Colombians can benefit from peace.
President, over the past decade, the UN Verification Mission has been an essential mechanism for the international community to support the implementation of the 2016 agreement and to honour its commitment to the Colombian people.
The UK remains committed to these efforts and to supporting Colombia on its path towards lasting peace.
