The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia praised this body’s importance in advancing the implementation of the Peace Agreement in the region.
 

Enrique Sánchez, Head of the Medellín Regional Office of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, with Liaison Officer Rodolfo Zapata and delegates of MAPP OEA, the public security forces, and other members of the Departmental Council for Reintegration.
 

Medellín, 10 June 2024. Antioquia’s Departmental Council for Reintegration, which promotes institutional collaboration to implement the Peace Agreement in this region of Colombia, was formally inaugurated on 28 May by Governor Andrés Julián Rendón, in the company of delegates of the Government of Colombia, the public security forces, peace signatories, representatives of the private sector and international cooperation, among others.

The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia has assisted and helped develop this interinstitutional space within the framework of its work as verifiers of the social, political, and economic reintegration of peace signatories. This space was established as a departmental roundtable in 2017 and later became the Departmental Council for Reintegration in October 2023.
 

Enrique Sánchez Airas, Head of the Medellín Regional Office of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.
 

“The United Nations Verification Mission celebrates the establishment of the Departmental Council for Reintegration with the presence, for the first time, of the governor. We believe this is a fundamental body to coordinate public policies at the national, departmental and municipal levels. This is a space where all actors, including the civil society and the international community, can do their part and provide resources for activities related to the Peace Agreement and reintegration,” said Enrique Sánchez Airas, Head of the Medellín Regional Office of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.

For the Antioquia Governor’s Office, this space reiterates their commitment to the reintegrated population. “We had the opportunity to present our proposals on the issue of peace and to reaffirm our commitment to the people in reintegration. We also presented our achievements in relation to land, health, education and housing, which will help us strengthen the process,” said Paula Andrea Polo, Peace Director of the Department of Antioquia.

“Peace means opportunities for the region. The territorial approach will create opportunities for people in reintegration to give them a decent standard of living, wherever they are,” she added.
 

The governor of Antioquía, Andrés Julián Rendón, presided over the Departmental Council for Reintegration.

During the event, the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization (ARN) presented the current status of the process in Antioquia and the Comprehensive Reintegration Program (PRI), which includes interinstitutional services that will guarantee access and effective enjoyment of rights by the reintegrated population. For the Government of Colombia, this space for dialogue has been fundamental in constructing the Departmental Development Plan in terms of implementing the Peace Agreement.

“Today, it is clear that the reintegration process is part of the Departmental Development Plan. This is a joint effort led by the Governor’s Office through different roundtables. This is very important for us because, at the end of the day, it is the culmination of this year’s efforts to advance in comprehensive reintegration. Antioquia Governor’s Office and Medellín Mayor’s Office are key to the process of reintegrating the signatories of the Final Peace Agreement in Antioquia,” said Luz Nely Osorno, ARN Coordinator for Antioquia and Chocó.
 

Luz Nely Osorno, ARN Coordinator for Antioquía and Chocó.

Actions on the regions are essential for the peace signatories who participated in this event: “The governor made substantial commitments to mobilize the institutional framework to deliver on the promises. He also promised to develop specific actions to bring institutional services to the regions. We could say that we are on the same page with the governor; that peace means the State’s presence in all regions comprehensively,” said Pastor Alape, representing the people in the reintegration process. 
 

Pastor Alape, representing the peace signatories in the Departmental Council for Reintegration.

According to ARN figures, Antioquia has approved 574 collective and individual projects of peace signatories, grouping 1,187 people in reintegration, including 316 women and 871 men.

Delegates from the Mission to Support the Peace Process of the Organization of American States (MAPP-OAS), the Peace and Human Rights Secretariat of Medellín Mayor's Office, the Peace Agreement Implementation Unit, Proantioquia, the public security forces and peace signatories also attended the inauguration of the Departmental Council for Reintegration. 

By Elizabeth Yarce
Public Information Officer
United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, Medellín