Secretary-General Hails Adoption of Security Council Resolution 2261 (2016) Authorizing Political Mission in Colombia

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2261 (2016), which was co-sponsored by all 15 members.  He is pleased by the strong commitment they have shown to the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict in Colombia.

As mandated by the Council and consistent with the request of the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), the Secretary-General will initiate preparations, including on the ground, so that a United Nations political mission can be fully operational when the final peace agreement is signed.

The Secretary-General welcomes the Council’s active interest in the contributions of the members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to the mission.  In this context, he has requested Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman, who is representing him at the CELAC summit to be held in Quito, Ecuador, later this week, to engage with the Members of the regional body on their contributions to the United Nations mission.