Nobel Peace Prize
ILO Director-General welcomes Nobel Peace Prize for Colombian President Santos
GENEVA (ILO News) – ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has warmly welcomed the decision of the Nobel Committee in Oslo to award the 2016 Peace Prize to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos “for his resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end”.
“This year’s prize comes timely in support of efforts to put an end to the devastating civil war that has cost the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people. As President Santos said, the Prize also goes to the Colombian people,” said Ryder.
“For too many years, violence has affected Colombian workers and employers as well as society as a whole. The Nobel Committee sends a strong message to the international community to support Colombia in overcoming the remaining obstacles to implement the peace agreement,” he added.
“Creating decent work opportunities will be essential to break inequalities, achieve social justice and build a lasting peace in Colombia. As I already indicated when the peace accord was announced, the ILO stands ready to support the Colombian government and social partners to build a future of peace and inclusion through decent work,” Ryder said.
The ILO and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which aims to promote the creation of more and better jobs in the rural sector in a post conflict situation.
“This year’s prize comes timely in support of efforts to put an end to the devastating civil war that has cost the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people. As President Santos said, the Prize also goes to the Colombian people,” said Ryder.
“For too many years, violence has affected Colombian workers and employers as well as society as a whole. The Nobel Committee sends a strong message to the international community to support Colombia in overcoming the remaining obstacles to implement the peace agreement,” he added.
“Creating decent work opportunities will be essential to break inequalities, achieve social justice and build a lasting peace in Colombia. As I already indicated when the peace accord was announced, the ILO stands ready to support the Colombian government and social partners to build a future of peace and inclusion through decent work,” Ryder said.
The ILO and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which aims to promote the creation of more and better jobs in the rural sector in a post conflict situation.