Let me start by welcoming Colombia’s unwavering commitment to peacebuilding! Colombia has demonstrated that even the most entrenched conflict can be resolved through negotiations and commitment to truth, justice and reconciliation.

Today Colombia stands as a model for peacebuilding globally. The peace agreement from 2016 and the ongoing peace process are not only a national achievement, but an international beacon of hope: Peace can be achieved. Despite deep and persistent challenges, a society that suffered immense violence can forge peaceful paths forward through dialogue and reconciliation.

As Chair of the PBC, I would like to stress the importance of addressing structural conflict causes as central to Colombia’s peace strategy. Rural reform, transitional justice, and the participation of women, youth, and ethnic communities, including Afro-Colombian and Indigenous peoples, remain essential pillars for building lasting peace. We also have to recognize the resilience of former combatants and the reintegration efforts. Comprehensive protection mechanisms to address ongoing security threats are key in this regard.

In this context, let me highlight the critical contributions of the Peacebuilding Fund in Colombia facilitated through the Colombian Multi-Partner Trust Fund, which is a great example of building synergies and systematic coherence with other sources of UN funding such as the UN’s Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. Dozens of current and recent PBF-funded projects have supported peacebuilding at multiple levels, investing over 60 million US Dollar to advance the implementation of the Peace Agreement. PBF projects have been instrumental in expanding Colombia’s transitional justice process, strengthening the participation and rights of marginalized groups, and supporting national and local civil society. Several initiatives have also focused on expanding state presence and protection mechanisms in areas historically controlled by armed groups. These projects help advancing in conflict prevention.

We particularly welcome the PBF project to support Colombia’s South-South Cooperation Strategy. This initiative facilitates the sharing of Colombia’s peacebuilding experiences with countries such as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

Colombia’s active engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission and its experience offers vital lessons for other countries navigating transitions from conflict to peace. Let us use today’s session to encourage continued dialogue and knowledge-sharing across regions.

Finally, I would like to call on international partners to scale up their support—politically, technically, and financially—for Colombia’s peacebuilding priorities, including through the PBF and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund. We reaffirm our commitment as the Peacebuilding Commission to remain a close and trusted partner to Colombia on its journey toward sustainable, inclusive, and transformative peace.