Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council (Adoption), EOV after the vote on the mandate renewal of the Verification Mission of in Colombia

Thank you, Mr. President.

 
We are pleased the Council came together today to unanimously extend the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) for another 12 months.
 
We are particularly delighted that a reference to the importance of including youth in the peace process was reflected. As the driving force of the future, the voices and the active participation of youth should be protected, respected, and promoted for the peace process to be sustainable.
 
The need to provide protection of young community members and leaders to ensure their full and effective participation in peacebuilding efforts was also part of the advice from the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to the Security Council. This practice will strengthen relation between the PBC and the Council which Japan believes is important. We hope that such good practices will be enhanced.
 
We also welcome the emphasis on the efforts of the UN Verification Mission to continue to integrate a gender perspective as a cross-cutting issue into its work among other perspectives.
 
To conclude, Japan reaffirms its firm support for the work of the UN Verification Mission, and will remain committed to supporting the peace process and peacebuilding efforts in Colombia.
 
I thank you.