Asked by: Katrina Murray (Labour - Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking as UN Security Council penholder for the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement to maintain international community’s support for implementation of that country’s peace accords.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has been a leading international advocate for Colombian efforts to implement the 2016 Peace Agreement. The UK acts as penholder for the Colombian peace process at the UN Security Council and supports the important work of the UN Verification Mission, whose mandate the UN Security council renewed in October. Through the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), the UK has historically committed £80 million to support the implementation of the agreement. In partnership with UN agencies and civil society organisations, UK funding has supported rural development and reintegration programmes to strengthen the security of the communities in conflict affected areas. During her visit in November, Baroness Chapman met Foreign Minister Rojas and emphasised the UK's support for the Colombian peace process and 2016 agreement at international forums.