The talks are expected to focus on the ICRC's operations in Colombia and on humanitarian issues, such as the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the relevance of international humanitarian law, particularly in Colombia's non-international armed conflict.

Mr Kellenberger will also meet senior officials of the Colombian Red Cross to discuss current cooperation initiatives between the two organizations.

The ICRC president will meet IDPs on the outskirts of Bogotá who have received ICRC assistance, and participate in an event organized to draw attention to the situation of displaced persons in Colombia and to the ICRC's work to help them. During the past ten years, the ICRC has assisted over a million IDPs in Colombia.

The ICRC began working in Colombia in 1969, when it was granted authorization to visit people detained in connection with the armed conflict. In addition to detention and assistance activities, the ICRC has promoted the integration of international humanitarian law into Colombian legislation and into the training of the armed and security forces, facilitated the release of hostages and detainees, and run agricultural, water and sanitation projects for resident communities affected by the armed conflict.