Remarks by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Miroslav Jenča, on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the Peace Agreement
As we commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Peace Agreement, I would like to acknowledge the achievements made to date.
These have been nine years of collective efforts by Colombians to leave violence behind, move towards reconciliation and build a peaceful, equitable and secure country.
With the slogan ‘We Sow and Transform’, this year seeks to highlight the transformative potential of this roadmap, which is the Peace Agreement.
The Agreement has brought undeniable benefits. More than 11,000 peace signatories remain committed to the reintegration process; a solid institutional architecture for peace has been established to accompany implementation; the Comprehensive System for Peace, which places victims at its centre, has been launched; there has been a democratic expansion in the country; peasants, women and ethnic communities have gained access to land and property titles, among many other achievements. For me, that is peace in the making.
Of course, challenges remain. Peace is not a linear process and requires us to continue working together. The comprehensive presence of the State in the territories and the protection of the life and integrity of all people must be a priority.
This new anniversary is a time to renew our commitment to the comprehensive implementation of the Agreement.
As the United Nations, we will continue to be present in the territories most affected by the conflict, where the Peace Agreement is driving greater transformations.
We will continue to accompany Colombians in their search for peace.
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