Discurso do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Ronaldo Costa Filho, em reunião do Conselho de Segurança sobre o relatório trimestral da Missão de Verificação na Colômbia - 20 de janeiro de 2022 (texto em inglês)

January 20^th 2022

Madam President,

I would like to express appreciation to SRSG Carlos Ruiz Massieu for the update presented, as well as Ms. Giraldo for the briefing. I also welcome Presidential Advisor for Stabilization and Consolidation, Mr. Archila.

It is a particular honour to take the floor to comment on the implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia. As a neighbouring country, Brazil commends the Colombian people for the remarkable job they are undertaking of healing old wounds and cementing a path of peace and prosperity that unifies the whole country.

Peace in Colombia is an achievement of its society. The Colombian decision to involve the UN in monitoring the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and the transparency the country has been showing along the way are both a testimony of Colombia’s commitment to peace. On the Council’s side, a strict adherence to the mandate is necessary to foster trust between the international community and the parties in Colombia.

This Council has indeed been playing a very important role in increasing confidence that peace is possible and will be duly implemented. In our view, the Council cannot lose view of this aspect in its involvement in the dossier. This exemplary case should be seen as providing the Council with tools and principles that it may have recourse to in its future work. Among the lessons learned in Colombia is that the Council can be a catalyst to bring parties to the table and that without the due involvement and ownership of the parties to the conflict, there are fewer chances of enduring peace, even with years of military presence on the ground.

As mentioned in the Secretary General’s Report, and emphasized by SRSG Massieu, and of which Mr. Giraldo has given eloquent testimony, peace has indeed taken root in Colombia. As we approach a new presidential election, Brazil is confident that the Agreement has succeeded in instilling institutional stability and that, therefore, its implementation will remain a priority for Nariño Palace during the incoming administration.

The report further stresses that the root causes of conflict in Colombia need to be properly addressed, so that Colombian society can truly turn this page. In this regard, we are pleased that Colombia has shown willingness to enhance social policies in previously neglected areas, which were strongly affected by decades of conflict.

Although much remains to be done, Brazil is confident that Colombia is on the right path. Only five years have elapsed since the agreement was signed, out of the fifteen foreseen for its complete implementation.

Colombia has already shown and consistently demonstrated its political will to advance and increase the presence of the State where needed. Just as an example, it has invested USD 2,6 billion so far in its rural reform and in the replacement of crops. Brazil is fully cognizant of the socioeconomic, geographical and logistical problems the Colombian government faces in order to reach the totality of its territory, as we share many of the same challenges in reaching the population throughout our own territory. Brazil is sure, however, that Colombia has the knowledge, means and resources to overcome the challenges.

It is also worth mentioning that Colombia and the ICC signed a cooperation agreement that defines mutual responsibilities related to Transitional Justice, the first agreement of its kind between the Court and a State Party.

Brazil trusts Colombian efforts to guarantee the safety of ex-combatants, to strengthen its policies regarding women, indigenous populations and afro-descendants, as well as the due functioning of the Transitional Justice System, with which we are sure the Colombian government will keep cooperating fully.

I Thank you Madam President.