Press Conference: Leonor Zalabata, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of June.

Okay.
Good afternoon, colleagues.
Thank you all for joining us today for the press briefing of the Republic of Colombia's presidency of the Security Council for the month of June 2026.
Her Excellency Ambassador Leonard Salvata, permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations, will share Colombia's priorities and the program of War for the presidency.
After that, we will open the floor for questions from those in the room.
Ambassador Salvata is joined by Rodrigue Maya, political coordinator at the permanent mission of Colombia to the UN.
We would like to note that simultaneous interpretation to and from Spanish is available as the permanent representative will brief in Spanish.
And if you wish to present your question in Spanish as well.
Without further ado Ambassador, you have the floor.
Thank you very much.
In the Security Council, Colombia wants our experience to be used to build peace.
Good afternoon to one and all.
We find ourselves in an international context marked by growing geopolitical tensions, multiple conflicts, and humanitarian crises exacerbated by the increasingly significant impacts of climate change and a growing fragmentation of the international system.
In these circumstances, Colombia reaffirms its commitment to the charter of the United Nations, to international law, human rights, and international humanitarian law.
Our activities during our presidency will be guided by the fundamental principles of the international system, including the sovereign equality of states, respect for sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity, non interference, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The defense of an effective application of these principles is not an end in and of itself, but rather it is an essential condition for us to be able to preserve a shared framework of rules that allow states to live together, to cooperate, and to collectively resolve their disagreements and to do so peacefully.
And to avoid force being replaced by a force replacing law and to ensure that we can build a more just international order, one that is in harmony with human beings and in peace with nature.
On the basis of this vision, Colombia will exercise the presidency of the Security Council on the basis of a premise that has deeply characterized our own history, and that is that peace is not a linear process, rather it is one that is built collectively gradually.
This is a process where the support of the international community can play a decisive role.
In this regard, the program of work for June takes as its starting point the experience of a country that has been through complex dialogue processes, the implementation of agreements, transitional justice and reconciliation.
A country that has learned that the sustainability of peace depends as much on political decisions as it does on the real impact that it has on people's lives.
Based on the aforementioned, Colombia's presidency will be focused on three tracks.
First, building and perpetuating peace with the conviction that dialogue is the only sustainable way to solve conflicts.
Second, An approach that is people centered, one that recognizes that the prevailing economic system has deepened inequalities, the gaps within and between countries and historic forms of exclusion, which drive scenarios of conflict, mistrust, and insecurity.
Third, strengthening multilateralism in order to more effectively respond to interconnected challenges, which require collective, coherent, and sustained responses.
On the first track for Colombia, diplomacy, mediation, and prevention need to return to the heart of international multilateral action.
In this context, we shall hold a high level open debate entitled Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East, Mediation and Dialogue for a lasting peace.
That will be led by the President of Colombia Gustavo Petro.
At a time of profound polarization and enormous human suffering in that region, this debate will attempt to promote a collective reflection, a collective consideration of the need to prioritize diplomacy and political solutions in the face of the spread of conflicts.
Colombia is here to talk about peace and not about war.
On the second track, Colombia believes that there can be no lasting peace as long as vulnerable populations continue to be left behind and continue to be left out of the benefits of development, and as long as the civilian population continues to bear the most grave consequences of violence.
Any.
Building and sustaining peace requires the centering of the protection of life, dignity, and human rights.
It also requires the promotion of more inclusive processes which recognize diversity and which strengthen the legitimacy and sustainability of peace.
In line with the aforementioned, we shall hold two open debates, one high level open debate led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosa Biricencio entitled, Peace I Decided with Women emerging from conflict by enhancing the participation of women for Peace.
This open debate will highlight the importance of the full, equitable, equal, safe, and meaningful participation of all women in prevention, mediation, and peace building.
Another open debate at the level of permanent representatives will concern prevention and the protection of education for children affected by armed conflicts.
If we don't defend children, we are not then guaranteeing a future for humanity.
Lastly, regarding the strengthening of multilateralism, Colombia will conduct its work with openness, transparency, and inclusion, prioritizing prevention and diplomacy and the pursuit of political solutions with the conviction that the council's decisions have direct consequences for present and future generations.
This month, we will hold regular meetings on the Middle East and meetings to follow up on the situations in Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
In addition, in close coordination with China, the outgoing presidency, Colombia has convened two emergency meetings for this afternoon.
The first under the agenda item, threats to international peace and security was requested by Romania and supported by five members of the Security Council, namely Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the United Kingdom.
The second under the agenda item, the situation in the Middle East was requested by France and supported by China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Colombia.
We will also move forward with the adoption of decisions relating to the sanctions regime for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the mandates of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UA, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Uof and the International Residual Mechanism for the Criminal Tribunals.
Moreover, in line with the responsibility that the Security Council has in the process of selecting the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, Colombia will coordinate with the other members of the council for the beginning of the informal dialogues with the candidates.
This month, when the world's attention is also going to be focused on a competition that will play out in stadium, on screens, and in conversations around the world, the Security Council is going to be entering a phase of intense activity, just like on the football field, where the results depend on playing by the rules, on teamwork, and having a clear sense of direction, Moving towards peace requires collective commitment, dialogue, and a shared vision.
Lastly, I would like to thank you all for your presence.
We hope that we can maintain an open exchange with the press aware as we are of the important role that you play.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Ambassador, for your presentation.
Colleagues, we will now open the floor for questions.
I will take them in order and in the interest of allowing as many colleagues as possible to participate.
We will proceed in round of three question at a time.
Before asking your question, please kindly state your name and the media outlet you represent.
As we follow tradition, I'm pleased to give the first question to the United Nations Correspondent Association, Valeria, go ahead, please.
Thank you so much for that.
Thank you, Madam Ambassador, for this press conference and we wish you the best of luck on behalf of the UN Correspondent Association.
My name is Valeria Robeco for Ana Newswire.
Ambassador Israel has now struck Beirut southern suburbs.
As president of the Security Council, what concrete steps beyond statement is the Council prepared to take to enforce the cease fire? Thank you so much.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Madam Ambassador.
My name is Susan Tehrai from Won.
The United States is increasing its influence in South America.
Does Colombia welcome that? Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
Thank you very much.
Your Excellency, my name is Hamida Sayan.
Your Excellency, do you believe that there is foreign intervention or foreign interference in the elections in your country? I thank you.
I believe the issue of current conflicts, these conflicts have to do with elements that are contemplated in the decisions that the Security Council has already taken and in the principles of the charter, respect for sovereignty, for territorial integrity.
These continue to be pillars in order to resolve conflict situations that we currently see today around the world and in the United Nations in this multilateral form.
This leads us to think that There are rules which must be followed, rules which must be applied, which must be implemented.
These agreements have to be implemented.
They are binding in nature, they are mandatory.
Dialogue continues to be the way to apply that international law, which can play an important role in order to peacefully resolve disputes and differences.
For us, it continues to be critical these principles that are enshrined in international law, as well as the respect that we must ensure for us to walk down that path in the world.
And with regard to these situations that have been clearly defined in international law in those principles of the charter and on the issue of putting human rights in the very center, The civilian population and its protection continue to be a critical issue in order to ensure that what we have built in terms of peace can be applied, and therefore to move from rhetoric to practice This is something that we have been building and establishing in order to defend those rights that we all possess as human beings as an indigenous woman.
I would think that we need to go farther in order to ensure the rights of nature of the Earth, which are vital.
They are so essential for human societies today and in the future.
That is why I believe that no conflict can be solved without dialogue, without peaceful solutions, where this would lead to protecting society, civilians, nature.
In any of these conflicts, I think that We cannot really think that we are here to invent something new in the Security Council.
That is not the case.
There are important principles.
States have created them, states have drafted them and they have made a decision.
Now, states need to apply that principle of respecting territorial integrity, as well as the sovereignty of states and the protection of human rights, international humanitarian law.
I would add, of course, The right to have water now and in the future, the right to have air now and in the future, and for future generations to also have access to that.
That is our general vision when it comes to conflicts.
Thank you.
Please go ahead.
I apologize, but at the moment in my national capacity, I am not in a capacity to be able to answer your question on the one hand.
And on the other hand Colombia is also a founding member of the United Nations, a founding supporter of those principles, and that we have the same rights that have been established.
That is to say, respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty that all states have and the right to democratic development, which we as a country take a decision on unilaterally.
For that reason I believe that yes, Colombia is one of the countries that is part of the United Nations and that is part of this system.
What we want is to strengthen multilateralism as a common good for humanity.
Thank you.
Go ahead.
Oh, thank you, Madam President.
I'm here.
My name is Sin A Tunsmir from the Margi.
Colombia went through a long and difficult peace process with armed groups and is being closely watched as a model.
Turkey is also pursuing its own peace negotiation regarding the Kurdish question.
In your view, what can Turkey and PKK Kurdish Armed Group learn from Colombia's experience and what are the key differences between two countries in terms of ceasefire and dialogue process? Thank you very much.
You and Edi after Yeah.
Great.
Thank you very much.
I'm Emily Bauer from AFP News Agency.
The Council just sent a letter to the member states saying that you will start deliberating on the next Secretary-General selection the last week of July.
Could you give us a little bit more details on what you agreed on the process under which you're going to actually decide? Thank you very much.
Eliot, go ahead, please.
Thank you very much, Madam Ambassador Edith Lettera from the Associated Press.
You've been on the council for almost six months and we have seen quite a number of divided votes, vetoed resolutions.
Can you tell us your views on the divisions in the council and what you would recommend for any kind of reconciliation? Colombia is emerging from a very long process of building peace.
It's an internal conflict that has left a very significant mark on Colombians and applying that experience has meant that we have valuable experience that we can share around the world.
There are experiences that where, for example, if we were to bring all those together, perhaps we could find more rapid responses in order to find a peaceful settlement of disputes and resolve problems.
That's something that around the world needs to be remembered that we have this experience, that there can be solutions, solutions are possible.
For us, it continues to be very important that Colombia's archives on the implementation of the Peace Agreements should be part of the archives of the Security Council of the United Nations.
It's been very important and very meaningful that the international community has been there alongside the decisions Colombia has made and the processes that it has been implementing.
It remains very important that there is the participation of the international community and that the international community plays a role within the solutions that are needed to resolve the problems that are present around the world.
That's what I would recommend.
The only thing that I can tell you about this subject of the election of the Secretary-General, be it a man or a woman, is that it will be it would be important that we have a woman leading the Secretariat.
However, Since last month, under the Chinese presidency, the Security Council has been considering modalities for this matter.
We will have contacts, nothing more than that, with the candidates on this subject.
Then the Security Council will make a decision on this matter which is under the purview of the Security Council and not just the current presidency.
That's a very important question.
Because what works and perhaps, I apologize if I don't quite have the deep history and historical knowledge of these subjects, but the United Nations itself raised the need for reforms 80 years on, things weren't working in the same way as they did 80 years ago.
There was a proposal to reform the United Nations.
That specifically has to do with the way that the United Nations was established.
I don't know whether we should call it divisions or disagreements or differences between the permanent members and the elected members that serve two year terms.
And whether they have disagreements or differences over decision making.
But I think that reform is very valid for the Security Council and also for the United Nations.
Humanity changes every day, moves forward, makes progress, and so these things need to be brought up to date and that we look for more just more equitable solutions based on greater equality.
Because all states have equal rights.
I think it is only dialogue that can lead us to agreements that are necessary.
But reform of the United Nations and the reforms that are being worked on, I think are going to be an important way of improving the political conditions which are needed around the world and which are needed by all of humanity.
Thank you very much.
Thanks, allow me to recall that this press briefing is focused on Colombia priorities during its presidency of the Security Council.
We kindly ask that question remain within the scope of today's briefing.
We have time for three final questions.
Three, go ahead.
Thank you very much, Stefano Var New York six months from an operation the United States did in Venezuela were basically arrested and brought to this country, the president of Venezuela.
I Are you going to dedicate well, I guess I I didn't hear anything about Venezuela, but is in your presidency of the Security Council, are you going to address this issue about if it's legal or not to go to another country and instruct the president and also about Cuba.
Are you going to dedicate anything on situation in Cuba at the moment? Thank you.
Banjaa Mila from Pass Blue.
Can you speak about just give us some insights into the relationship between the United States and Colombia in the Security Council alongside the other permanent members in Security Council.
My second question is also about engagements with other council member.
Um when Guyana was in the Council, we saw strengthened engagement and coordination between the three African countries in the Security Council.
Can you talk about Colombia's relationship with other African sorry, with the three African countries in the Council? Thank you.
Yeah.
Go ahead.
Mr.
Grass ambassador, this is mainly with China daily.
So last September when Colombia president was here to attend during the UN GA and his visa was revoked because of his participation of anti Gaza War y.
And will this influence his visa this time and are already coordinating the visa with the US.
Thank you.
So first, that would be Colombia is experiencing a context that other countries are experiencing as members of the Security Council and because we rotate, well, now it's our turn to hold the presidency.
That is what I can say, but many regions around the world, such as the Caribbean, Latin America and the Caribbean have declared themselves as regions of peace and It has also been declared that there are territories where we propose and we uphold peace as a way of life.
That is why for our countries, our countries in the region, we strive to be countries of peace, the peace that we have agreed upon, and solutions need to go beyond.
Cuba and Venezuela are brotherly countries for the rest of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
We share the Caribbean Sea.
We share our language, for instance, and this is part of our heritage of peace to continue living in peace logically.
Each state has also had to address Venezuelan migration and we share in what is established in our domestic law.
Yeah.
Colombia has done a lot beyond multilateral fora.
We've worked bilaterally with Venezuela.
We share a very large border.
It's many kilometers long and They are part of a society that doesn't really see distinctions.
These distinctions are blurred at the borders of our states, of our territories.
Society doesn't see a border between our territories.
For people and populations that are in one country or the other, their relationships are stronger than the systems.
They are human relationships.
That is why we have remained true to that reality.
Colombia champions and defends social welfare state and allows for brother relations among people to continue to be the basis and lodestar to overcome difficulties when it comes to ourselves and our other brothers and sisters.
That is the political reference that we have used as a country to address these affairs.
Now, regional issues continue to be very important Building and maintaining peace throughout society and through our social systems.
Well, I don't see a big difference.
What real inequality or difference could we find among human beings, for instance, I think that societies can be an example for our political development and economic systems.
I think that the human condition could guide our global systems and we could establish a global order that is more in keeping with our societies and our humanity.
And more in keeping with those norms that we must all follow everywhere.
I consider that those relationships among regions.
Well, from Guyana, we see an important legacy there when they arrive to the council.
We consider that for us, South South cooperation continues to be extremely important and that is really part of a necessary development that needs to happen among different but equal peoples.
That is why we believe that dialogue is the way.
Dialogue is a roadmap in order to find a way out of conflicts.
And we find our way in the principles enshrined in the charter.
I would like to conclude how I started.
I thank you.
But this brings our press conference to a close.
Thank you very much for your participation, and I wish you all a great day.
Thank you.