Colombia has used its latest appearance at the United Nations General Assembly to outline the new government’s position on human rights, national sovereignty and international cooperation, while also calling for changes to the way global institutions operate.

The Colombian delegation presented the government’s message during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. President Abelardo De La Espriella did not personally attend the session. Vice President José Manuel Restrepo delivered a speech prepared by the president.

A central part of Colombia’s position was the protection of human rights. The government said it remains committed to defending fundamental rights but argued that international human-rights mechanisms should be applied consistently and should not depend on political relationships between countries.

In his prepared address, De La Espriella argued that the credibility of human-rights protection can be weakened when governments or institutions apply different standards to different countries. He called for a system in which human-rights principles are applied consistently rather than being influenced by political alliances or disputes.

The Colombian government also linked its human-rights position to a broader discussion about the future of multilateral institutions.

De La Espriella said Colombia recognises the importance of international cooperation but questioned whether existing global institutions are sufficiently effective in dealing with present-day challenges. His comments focused particularly on the United Nations and its institutional structure.

The president argued that after eight decades, the UN should examine whether its existing structures, administrative processes and mandates are producing the results expected from the organisation. He referred to issues including duplication, fragmentation and administrative burdens as areas that could be examined as part of institutional reform.

The speech also placed national sovereignty at the centre of Colombia’s foreign-policy message.

The government said international cooperation should allow countries to work together while retaining their national identities, traditions and political autonomy. Colombia presented this approach as compatible with multilateral cooperation rather than as a rejection of international engagement.

Restrepo, who represented the president at the General Assembly, also discussed Colombia’s domestic security priorities. The government has placed restoring public security and strengthening state authority among its major priorities since De La Espriella took office.

The administration has said that combating organised criminal groups and drug trafficking requires cooperation beyond Colombia’s borders because illegal drug networks operate across several countries. The government has therefore linked its domestic security agenda with international cooperation on organised crime and narcotics trafficking.

Another major issue raised by the Colombian delegation was economic development and international investment. The government presented Colombia as a country seeking greater investment and technological cooperation, highlighting sectors including infrastructure, technology, science and emerging industries.

Restrepo also referred to the major earthquake that struck Colombia in August and described the government’s response to the disaster. He thanked countries and international organisations that provided assistance following the earthquake and said reconstruction remained an important priority for the administration.

The Colombian government’s UN position represents a noticeable emphasis on sovereignty, security and institutional reform while maintaining support for international cooperation.

Its criticism of the United Nations does not amount to a rejection of the organisation. Instead, the government has argued that Colombia supports multilateral cooperation while seeking greater efficiency and consistency from international institutions. The president’s official statement specifically described Colombia as committed to cooperation and to the protection of human rights.

The speech also reflects the foreign-policy direction of Colombia’s new administration, which took office in August 2026. The government is seeking to strengthen Colombia’s international relationships while placing greater emphasis on national security, economic development and state sovereignty.

The discussion at the UN comes as governments around the world continue debating the effectiveness of multilateral institutions and the balance between national decision-making and international cooperation.

For Colombia, the latest intervention provides an outline of how the De La Espriella administration intends to approach those issues: continued participation in international institutions, stronger emphasis on national sovereignty, calls for consistent human-rights standards and support for reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of global organisations.