The Secretary-General welcomed the joint communiqué issued by the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP, on 19 January 2016, announcing their decision to ask the Security Council to establish a political mission composed of unarmed international observers.

The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2261, on 25 January 2016, to establish a political mission of unarmed international observers to monitor and verify the laying down of arms, and be part of the tripartite mechanism that will monitor and verify the definitive bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, following the signing of a peace agreement. 

The rapid and unanimous approval by the Security Council of Colombia’s request for support demonstrates the United Nations’ determination to help the peace process succeed.

We welcome the readiness of Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Member States to contribute to the United Nations Mission in Colombia.