Biodiversity and peace: joint EU cooperation priorities with Colombia

As part of his visit to Colombia to prepare for the Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP 15), which will take place in the second half of 2022, the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkeviĉius, has presented the joint priority areas of cooperation with Colombia.

The European Union (EU) will provide funding of 75 million euros – 307 billion Colombian pesos – for the period 2021-24 to strengthen our bilateral cooperation and promote common interests in the following areas:

• Environment and biodiversity
• Peace
• Migration and gender

The financial allocation for 2025-2027 will be determined after a mid-term programming review in 2024.

Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius:

“Colombia is a like-minded country, with whom we share an unequivocal determination to fight climate change and deforestation, as well as to promote sustainable and just recovery. It is also an ecological superpower that is home to a rich biodiversity with whom we are working hand in hand to achieve an ambitious outcome at COP 15. On deforestation we want to support partner countries in their efforts, and prevent deforestation-related products and raw materials from being sold on the EU market. With this in mind, we are today presenting concrete support to Colombia to tackle all forms of deforestation, and to promote sustainable supply chains.”

Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said:

“Especially in these uncertain times, it is important to continue to rely on strong partners like Colombia, with whom we share common values and are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals. With the European Union’s new Global Gateway strategy, we will move forward on joint priorities. I am glad that the Multiannual Indicative Program has been a point of agreement to focus on peace and the Environment, key areas to achieve our goals and supported by Team Europe initiatives.”

The European Union has adopted its Multiannual Indicative Program for Colombia (MIP) for 2021-27. With this strategic document, the EU is committed to supporting the priorities defined in consultation with the authorities of the countries and EU Member States. Other key stakeholders have been consulted, in particular civil society organizations, including women’s and youth organizations, local authorities, private sector representatives, the United Nations and other partners.

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The adoption of the Multiannual Indicative Program is an important step in strengthening and concretizing the European Union’s cooperation with Colombia, and will allow us to continue working together on programs and projects based on shared objectives, principles and values.

The agreed priorities will be carried out in collaboration with EU Member States in a Team Europe approach. They are in line with the UN Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement and the EU Global Gateway strategy.

More information:  Delegation of the European Union to Colombia