Today the Kroc Institute released its fifth comprehensive report detailing the status of implementation of Colombia’s 2016 Peace Accord between December 2019 and November 2020. The United States Embassy is a proud sponsor of the work of the Kroc Institute in Colombia, and we welcome the report’s release.
Since 2016, the United States has supported the Colombian government’s implementation of the Peace Accord, working in partnership with other members of the international community, the private sector, and civil society. The Kroc Institute’s most recent report underscores important advances in the implementation of rural development projects in key regions (Programas de Desarrollo con Enfoque Territorial or PDETs in Spanish). The report also indicates that progress was made in providing support to conflict victims despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. The United States recognizes these important efforts that continue to advance peace implementation.
The Peace Accord set out ambitious goals to deliver transformational change in Colombia. Some of these goals will likely take years to complete. The Kroc Institute’s report notes that the gender and ethnic components of the Accord continue to fall behind the overall rate of progress in implementation and that violence continues to plague many rural areas. The United States is committed to supporting the Accord and will continue to work with our partners in the Colombian government to improve the protection of human rights, develop sustainable economic opportunities, and reduce violence and crime in these rural communities.
The United States will draw on the findings of this report to shape our continued assistance toward peace implementation. We will continue to support the achievement of the durable peace that all Colombians deserve. The United States Government and the American people stand with Colombia in this important effort.