New York, 30 June 2017 – Following the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General, Members of the Council expressed their support to the current mission, as well as to the establishment of a second Mission, which was requested earlier this month by the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos.

“We firmly support the launch of a second mission in Colombia” said the Swedish Embassador to the Security Council, Olof Skoog.

In their statements, representatives of Sweden, Uruguay, Kazakhstan and Bolivia (current President of the Council) highlighted the role of the existing UN Mission and congratulated the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP for their commitment to the implementation of the agreements.

 “Colombians are setting an example for the world demonstrating with their actions that it is worth it to bet on peace”, highlighted Roselli.

For his part, the Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission, Jean Arnault, indicated that:  “we feel honored by the request of the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP to establish a second verification mission”.

“The conviction expressed by both leaders (President Santos and Timoleón Jimenez) that half a century of war is over, has been verified by the Mission”, added Arnault.

Once the process of laying down of arms by the FARC-EP is concluded on 27 June, the Mission will continue its work emptying the weapons caches and destroying explosives, explained Arnault in the report. “Up to now 81 arms caches have been emptied and a large quantity of explosives destroyed. Planning is ongoing with the FARC and the Government to empty another 380 caches in the coming weeks, with more to follow.”

In the report to the Security Council, Arnault proposed considering applying the experience of the Tripartite Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) in other situations in the world. “We think that the merits of this tripartite approach in which the two parties participate directly in the verification of mutual compliance, with the support and coordination of the UN, are well established; and though its success owes much to the confidence that was generated between the parties at the negotiating table, we should maybe consider if it could be usefully applied to other peace processes”.

Also participating in the session was the Ambassador of Colombia to the United Nations, María Emma Mejía, who thanked the Security Council and the international community for its support to the process. “I am honored to be here as representative of a country that said farewell to arms as part of a monumental effort which we Colombians have insisted on over the years”, said the Ambassador.

Following today´s session, the Security Council will continue to work on the request of President Santos of 5 June to count on a second UN Mission to “verify the process of political, economic and social reincorporation of the FARC-EP and the implementation of individual and collective protection and security measures, and integrated security and protection programmes for communities and organizations in the regions, among other topics”, as agreed between the parties.

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