Group photo of the symposium
summary
Conference Title: Symposium Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Ban Samoro Comprehensive Peace Agreement
-The past 10 years and into the future…
Date: August 7, 2024, 14:00-16:30
Organized by: JICA Southeast Asia and Pacific Division
Place: Tokyo (International Conference Hall, JICA Sadako Ogata Institute for Peace and Development)
Main Participants
Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation and Unification (OPAPRU) Mr. Galvez, Co-Chairman of the Pangandaman Intergovernmental Coordination Body (IGRB) / Minister of Budget and Management (DBM), Chairman of the Panel on Peace Implementation of the Government of the Philippines Mr. Yano / Assistant to the President of OPAPRU
MILF/BTA
BTA Prime Minister Ibrahim (MILF Chair), Iqbal IGRB Co-Chair / MILF Peace Implementation Panel Chair / BTA Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), Dumama Alba IGRB Secretariat / BTA Parliamentarian and House Leader / BTA Minister of Home Affairs and Local Government (MILG)
Japanese Government and Local Authorities] Mr. Tsuge, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture
JICA] President Tanaka, Vice President Miyazaki, Director Hatsukaeda
Background and Objectives
On March 27, 2014, after 17 years of peace negotiations, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Bangsamoro Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the agreement, as well as the upcoming elections for the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government in May 2025 and the establishment of the Autonomous Government in June 2025.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement, a symposium was held with invited dignitaries from the Philippines government, MILF, and the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA).
Contents
On August 7, JICA held a symposium at the Sadako Ogata Institute for Peace and Development to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Bangsamoro Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
In his opening remarks, President Tanaka said, “The achievements to date in the Mindanao peace process, including the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, are a testament to the commitment of the Bangsamoro people and the continued dialogue and cooperation of all parties.” He noted the progress of the peace process to date, and was followed by congratulatory speeches from Mr. Tsuge, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture.
In their keynote speeches, Presidential Advisor Galvez of the Philippines and Prime Minister Ibrahim of the BTA reviewed the progress made over the past 10 years and expressed their hope for progress in peace and development, as well as the progress being made toward the establishment of an autonomous government in 2025.
During the panel discussion, the panelists discussed the challenges for peace, stability, development, and progress in the Bangsamoro Muslim Mindanao Autonomous Region (BARMM) after the establishment of an autonomous government in 2025, and the direction of future-oriented cooperation to resolve these challenges. Minister Panganderman, Minister Dumama Alba, and JICA Vice President Miyazaki also shared their views on the presence of women in peacebuilding, and expressed their expectations for further women’s activities and sharing of their experiences.
As achievements to date in the peace process, it was shared that progress has been made in enacting various legislative instruments (political track), and that the BTA is laying the groundwork for the establishment of an autonomous government by reducing poverty rates, improving the educational environment, and achieving inclusive governance that includes indigenous peoples and settlers (Christians). The participants shared that the foundations are being laid for the establishment of an autonomous government. At the same time, it was shared that progress on disarmament and socioeconomic support for ex-combatants and their communities (normalization track) is a challenge for the future.
BARMM is scheduled to hold its first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections next May and to establish an autonomous government based on the results of these elections. As the peace process in Mindanao is about to take a new step forward, this symposium not only clarified the positive policy toward peace of both the Philippine government and the BTA, but also provided a valuable opportunity to hear the opinions of the parties concerned on the nature of cooperation that Japan and JICA are expected to provide in the future. The Symposium also provided an opportunity for the international community to consider what it can do to support and assist Mindanao on its path to peace, with over 200 participants in attendance, media, and online from all over the world.
JICA will continue to stand by Mindanao and support the comprehensive peace process.
Panel Discussion
Greetings from President Tanaka
Keynote speech by Presidential Advisor Galvez
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