Explanation of Vote on behalf of Sweden at the UN Security Council Adoption - Colombia

Mr President,

Delighted to see the Foreign Minister of Colombia, María Ángela Holguín, here today.

Let me begin by congratulating the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP for reaching another historic milestone in the peace process with the successful laying down of individual arms by FARC-EP on 27 June. We commend the strong commitment of both parties and their efforts to overcome challenges in the implementation of the Peace Agreement that resulted in this historic achievement.

The UN mission in Colombia has played an important role in support of the peace process. We would like to thank the UN mission in Colombia and SRSG Jean Arnault for their excellent work. A second political mission in Colombia will support the parties in building trust and overcoming challenges for the next stage of their historic process. Sweden voted in favour of this resolution and we are proud to co-sponsor it and would like to take this opportunity to express Sweden's strong commitment to Colombia and to the UN Mission.

The political, economic, and social reincorporation of former combatants is now one of the main challenges. The violence against Human Right Defenders and community leaders and killings of FARC-EP members and their families show the urgent need for a second mission to also verify the implementation of personal and collective security guarantees, as requested by the parties. To this end the mission must have sufficient presence locally and regionally to fulfil its mandate.

A committed and sustained effort is now needed from all parts of the state, as well as the UN and the international community in support of the wider peace agreement, including comprehensive rural reform, so that it can rapidly deliver tangible peace dividends for all Colombians. In this regard, we would also like to thank the SRSG for the work of the mission with inclusion and participation of women as well as in developing prevention and protection mechanisms for possible situations of gender-based violence and hope that this work will continue in the second mission.

Thank you.