New trust fund launched by UN and Colombian Government for peacebuilding needs

The United Nations and the Government of Colombia today announced the launch of a new multi-partner trust fund in the country’s capital, Bogotá, to respond to stabilization and peacebuilding needs.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted that the Fund will be managed by the Government and the UN, in close cooperation with interested donors, and will especially support conflict areas in the lead-up to and aftermath of possible peace agreements with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP).

In January, the Security Council approved a new UN political mission to monitor disarmament should a final agreement to end Latin America’s longest armed conflict be reached. The FARC rebels and the Government have been in talks seeking to end the 51-year conflict that has left nearly a quarter of a million victims.

“The fund will boost access to justice, community security and local governance capacity, restore victims’ rights and kick-start social and economic rehabilitation,” said UN Mr. Dujarric.

Norway, Sweden and the UN’s own Peacebuilding Fund are the first contributors, helping the new fund kick off today with an initial $8 million dollars.