Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva discussed the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges that impact the lives of Colombians and Americans at the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on March 27.
“Colombian Foreign Minister @AlvaroLeyva and I led the 10th U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue to discuss shared priorities and tackle the Americas’ greatest challenges, including migration, counternarcotics, security, climate, economic development, energy transition, and more,” Blinken said in a tweet.
Blinken emphasized the significance of joint efforts in addressing issues such as climate change and the movement of people across the hemisphere, according to a State Department press release of his remarks. He highlighted the benefits of cooperation between the two countries, not just for their citizens, but for the wider hemisphere and the world.
“We recognize that when it comes to tackling the global challenges that are affecting the lives of Colombians and Americans alike – from the existential threat posed by climate change to the unprecedented movement of people across our hemisphere – we’re simply better off when we're tackling these challenges together,” Blinken said in his remarks “And the ripple effects of our cooperation on these and other issues extend far beyond our two countries. They extend to the hemisphere; indeed, they extend to the world.”
The U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue aims to enhance cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The talks cover issues that include security, economic growth, and human rights. It is part of the broader commitment of the United States to strengthen relationships with its partners in the Americas.
During the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue, Leyva highlighted the importance of the two nations working together to tackle global challenges, according to the release. He praised the delegation of experts that accompanied him and emphasized the significance of issues such as social and economic opportunities, the environment, democracy, security, and migration.
Leyva also acknowledged the changing geopolitical landscape and the need to adapt to new circumstances, including the impact of drug trafficking and migration on the region, according to the release. He called for a Latin American conference on migration and discussed plans for a conference on clean energy. Leyva emphasized that Colombia and the U.S. are allies with a shared responsibility to address global issues and expressed gratitude for Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s attendance.
