Colombia’s Petro to Chair UN Security Council Meeting

The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, will make an official visit to New York from June 9 to June 11 to participate in several United Nations activities, including a Security Council session dedicated to analyzing the challenges of peace in the Middle East.

The Colombian president’s presence is part of the responsibilities assumed by the country as a non-permanent member of that body for the 2026-2027 term, which is why Petro will chair that sectoral meeting.

The agenda also includes meetings related to the protection of children in armed conflicts, the role of women in peace processes, and other diplomatic gatherings scheduled at UN headquarters.

During this visit, Petro will also play a prominent role by presiding over one of the Security Council sessions, the body responsible for addressing the main issues related to international peace and security.

Colombia’s Petro to chair UN Security Council meeting

The main event of the visit will take place on June 10, when Gustavo Petro leads a high-level United Nations Security Council session focused on the situation in the Middle East and the search for political solutions to the conflicts affecting the region.

The debate, titled “Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace,” will bring together representatives of member states and United Nations officials to analyze diplomatic mechanisms aimed at reducing tensions and fostering negotiation processes.

The session is part of the activities promoted by Colombia during the month in which it holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council. Colombia’s mission to the UN has stated that the meeting will seek to highlight the importance of mediation and dialogue as tools for conflict prevention and resolution.

Petro’s participation will carry special significance because he will be responsible for directing the deliberations of one of the most important bodies in the United Nations system, tasked with making decisions on issues related to global peace and security.

Colombia’s presence in this setting stems from the country’s election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2026-2027 term. This position allows Colombia to participate in debates and decisions on international conflicts, peacekeeping operations, sanctions, and other matters that are part of the body’s agenda.

Non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly and serve two-year terms. Although they do not have veto power, they are able to take part in discussions, introduce initiatives, and contribute to building consensus within the Council.

During this month of June, Colombia also holds the body’s rotating presidency. This role involves coordinating the meetings scheduled for the month, chairing the sessions, and helping define the Council’s work priorities.

Gustavo Petro’s administration has stated that it will seek to use this position to promote issues related to the peaceful resolution of disputes, preventive diplomacy, and the strengthening of multilateral mechanisms for peacebuilding.

Petro’s agenda in New York

Official activities will begin on June 9 with meetings and diplomatic engagements at United Nations headquarters. The president will be accompanied by members of the Colombian delegation and officials responsible for the government’s multilateral affairs.

June 10 will be marked by the Middle East session that Petro will chair at the Security Council. On the same day, parallel meetings related to the priorities Colombia has promoted during its presidency of the body will also take place.

These include initiatives linked to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, promoted by the United Nations to strengthen women’s participation in conflict prevention, negotiation processes, and peacebuilding.

Likewise, the Colombian delegation will participate in discussion forums on the protection of children and adolescents affected by armed conflicts, an issue that continues to occupy a prominent place among the concerns of the international community.

The June 11 agenda includes additional meetings with United Nations representatives and officials from various member states. These meetings will be aimed at following up on the debates held during the week and strengthening Colombia’s diplomatic contacts within the framework of its participation in the Security Council.

The visit will also provide an opportunity for the Colombian government to present some of its positions on international challenges related to peace, security, and human rights, issues that have occupied an important place in the current administration’s foreign policy.

While Petro remains in the United States, presidential duties will be temporarily delegated to Finance Minister Germán Ávila, in accordance with the provisions adopted by the executive branch before the trip.

Possible meeting with Mayor Mamdani

On the other hand—and although there is no official confirmation—it is possible that President Petro will meet with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during the Dignity in Democracy summit scheduled for June 12.

The affinities between the Colombian president and the New York City mayor go beyond the differences in context between Latin America and the United States. Both represent a progressive movement that has succeeded in mobilizing young and urban sectors through messages focused on economic inequality, social justice, and expanding the role of the state in protecting citizens.

Petro, the first left-wing president in Colombia’s history, has built much of his political project around reducing social gaps, defending minority rights, and promoting state intervention in strategic areas of the economy.

Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, became mayor of New York City with proposals focused on housing affordability, strengthening public services, and providing greater protections for working people.

Another point of convergence is their critical view of the inequalities generated by traditional economic models. Both Petro and Mamdani have advocated redistributive policies, higher taxes on wealthier sectors, and a more active role for the state in providing essential services.

They also share similar positions on international issues. Both have expressed criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and have supported approaches more favorable to Palestinian rights, a stance that has earned them support among progressive sectors and criticism from their political opponents.

Despite the Colombian delegation’s interest in this meeting with Mamdani, the proximity to President Petro’s return date makes it uncertain whether it will take place.