The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Colombia on the occasion of the XI High-Level Dialogue.
High-level representatives of Colombia and the United States held the XI High-Level Dialogue at the San Carlos Palace in Bogota on May 28-29, 2024. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia, and the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources of the United States, Richard Verma, met with delegations from both governments. They reaffirmed their 202-year ties of friendship and cooperation, announcing a new vision for bilateral relations with the “Vida Colombia Strategy.”
Both countries committed to advancing their strategic alliance in areas such as democracy, peacebuilding, human rights, economic and social opportunities, environment and climate change, energy transition, mining, infrastructure (including railways), information technology and communications, public diplomacy, citizen security, global health security, combating global drug problems, rural development, and managing migration effectively and humanely.
The high-level officials announced the launch of the “Vida Colombia Strategy,” which focuses on hemispheric collaboration to address common challenges such as democratic stability, environmental protection, socio-ecological transition, peace accord implementation, crime prevention and narcotics control, safe migration management, and inclusion of Afro and Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQI+ persons, and historically marginalized communities.
Delegations from both countries affirmed that comprehensive dialogue across eight working groups represents a diversity of joint actions. They highlighted collaboration with civil society and private sector actors. Both nations remain focused on elevating efforts under the U.S.-Colombia Plan for Racial and Ethnic Equality (CAPREE) to advance equity for marginalized racial and ethnic communities. They recognized the private sector’s role in promoting economic development, energy transition, and digital transformation. The delegations also welcomed civil society contributions in addressing climate change concerning environmental justice and racial justice.
