The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the National Government institution responsible for formulating and guiding its international cooperation policy in the different modalities: bilateral, multilateral, south-south and humanitarian aid. (Decree 1942 of July 11, 2003).

In 2004, the Ministry created the International Cooperation Department, a division whose task is to strengthen relations of cooperation with other states, international bodies, integration mechanisms and regional consensus, to carry out this work.

The functions of this division, for which Vice Ministry for Multilateral Matters is responsible, are the following:

• To coordinate Colombia’s participation in international negotiations on matters of cooperation.

• To lead the negotiation of international cooperation instruments at bilateral, regional and multi-lateral levels.

• To coordinate with Colombian State institutions, diplomatic missions abroad, the embassies accredited in this country, the representations of international, multi-national and other bodies, to complement national and international efforts in the effort towards sustainable development.