UN, Japan reaffirm support for Bangsamoro

Photo: OPAPP

The United Nations (UN) and the Japanese government have reaffirmed their commitment to aid peacebuilding efforts in the Bangsamoro region, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said on Wednesday.

International donor agencies gathered in Pasig City on Tuesday for a forum co-organized by the UN and Embassy of Japan, with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to discuss developments in the Bangsamoro.

“Japan will never tire of lending a hand to the Mindanao peace process. We share with the Philippine government the dream of enduring peace and a better life for the Bangsamoro,” said Japan Deputy Chief of Mission Yamamoto Yasushi, according to a press release from OPAPP.

According to the statement, the Japanese government has been participating in various peacebuilding mechanisms in the Bangsamoro such as the International Monitoring Team, International Contact Group, Independent Commission on Policing, and Joint Peace and Security Team.

Several programs and projects across the Philippines are also being implemented under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development.

UN resident coordinator and Populations Fund representative Lori Kato also rallied support for peacebuilding initiatives in the Bangsamoro.

“I’d like to hereby reiterate the commitment of the UN system in the Philippines that we shall continue to provide and support you in all our capacity, whether it’s for emergency response, development efforts, or peacebuilding,” she said.

OPAPP Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor likewise affirmed their commitment to achieving a “long-lasting peace and sustainable development” despite the challenges.

“Attaining this vision is a long and difficult process and is filled with a lot of challenges. But we have, time and again, overcome these trials because of our will and determination,” he said.

The OPAPP earlier announced that the Philippine and Bangsamoro governments, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, plan to create a policy team that will study how to implement the Bangsamoro Development Plan from 2020 to 2022. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News