Opening ceremony of the monument donated to the UN by Colombia. The UN unveiled a monument dedicated to ending the half-century conflict in Colombia UN
Almost eight years after the signing of the Peace Agreement, Colombia has much to celebrate, but there is still a long way to go in building peace, the UN Secretary-General said in a statement on the occasion of the unveiling of a monument to the Colombian peace process at UN headquarters in New York.
“I am deeply honoured to be part of this symbolic unveiling today, forged from the bullets used by those who laid down their arms after five decades of conflict,” said António Guterres.
He thanked Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Diego Tovar, a member of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army, who were present at the event. The group that signed the Peace Agreement is now a political party. The UN chief called the first visit of the party’s representative to the UN a “historic” event.
“Just as weapons of war can be transformed into works of art, so former enemies can become allies in the fight for peace,” Guterres said.
According to him, the sculpture, shaped like a canoe of the indigenous peoples of Colombia, is a reminder of the journey the country is on. “Almost eight years after the signing of the Peace Agreement, there is much to celebrate, but there is still a long way to go,” the UN chief stressed.