Peacebuilding in Colombia: Implementing the Peace Agreement Toward Sustainable Peace

A delegation of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, chaired by Germany, recently travelled to Colombia to evaluate the peace progress. The working visit offered concrete insights into the achievements and structural challenges within a broader societal context.

Germany has been a long-standing partner of Colombia in the process of building and sustaining peace. The 2016 Peace Agreement mentions Germany as an “accompanying country” for the transitional justice system. Germany is dedicated to and closely collaborates with Colombia in its peace efforts by providing financial, technical and political support.

The delegation travelled to Bogotá and undertook two field visits to reintegration projects built by and for ex-combatants near Valledupar and in Medellín. It closed with the first hybrid meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission in Bogotá and New York.

Through exchanges with Colombian government officials as well as representatives from the civil society, the Peace Agreement Signatories and United Nations organizations in the field, the visit provided a comprehensive view of the process. It showcased the significant progress that has been made in the areas of reintegration, land redistribution, and the inclusion of marginalized communities. Recent violence in parts of the country highlight the importance of addressing root causes of the conflict.

While the path towards the full implementation of the Peace Agreement is Colombian-led, it also requires support from the international community. The visit was a valuable opportunity to evaluate how to best support Colombia, not least by helping coordinate between different players.