Event Report on JICA Symposium Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro

Event: JICA Symposium Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
Date: August 7, 2024 (Wed) , 14:00-16:30 (Japan Standard Time)
Sponsors: JICA Southeast Asia and Pacific Department
Location: Tokyo, Japan (International Conference Hall, JICA Sadako Ogata Research Institute for Peace and Development)

【Government of the Philippines】Mr. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. (Secretary, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity - OPAPRU), Ms. Amenah F. Pangandaman, (Secretary, Department of Budget Management/ Co-Chair of the National Government - Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body - IGRB), Presidential Assistant Cesar B. Yano (OPAPRU/ Chair of Government of the Philippines Peace Implementation Panel)

【Bangsamoro Transition Authority - BTA】Mr. Ahod B. Ebrahim, (Chief Minister), Mr. Mohagher M. Iqbal (Minister, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education/ Co-Chair of IGRB/ Chair of MILF Peace Implementing Panel), Atty. Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba (Minister, Ministry of Interior and Local Government/ Secretariat for IGRB)

【Government of Japan】Mr. YUZAKI Hidehiko, (Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture), Mr. TSUGE Yoshifumi (State Minister for Foreign Affairs)

【JICA】Mr. TANAKA Akihiko (President), Ms. MIYAZAKI Katsura, (Executive Senior Vice President), Mr. HATAEDA Mikio (Senior Vice President)

On March 27, 2014, after 17 years of peace negotiations, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the agreement, as well as the final year before election for the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government in May 2025 and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government in June 2025.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the agreement, JICA organized a symposium in Tokyo, inviting dignitaries from the Philippine government, and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

On August 7, JICA held a symposium at the Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

In his opening remarks, Dr. TANAKA, President of JICA, said, ""the achievements of the Mindanao Peace Process, including the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement and the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, are testaments to the dedication of the Bangsamoro people and the continuous dialogue and cooperation of all parties concerned”.

In the keynote speeches, Mr. Carlito G. Galvez, Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity of the Philippines and Chief Minister Ibrahim of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), looked back at the progress for the past decade and expressed their expectations towards the establishment of an autonomous government in 2025, including their hopes for lasting peace and development.

During the panel discussion, the panelists discussed the challenges for peace, stability, development, expectations for the development of the Bangsamoro Muslim Mindanao Autonomous Region (BARMM) after the establishment of the autonomous government in 2025, highlighting the direction of a future-oriented cooperation to solve challenges.

In addition, Secretary Amenah Panganderman, Minister Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, and JICA Executive Senior Vice President MIYAZAKI each expressed their views and experiences on the presence of women in peace process. They underscored their expectations for active participation of women in the future.

As for the current achievements of the peace process, it was shared that progress has been made through (a) the establishment of various legislative systems (political track); (b) the reduction of the poverty rate through the BTA; (c) the improvement of the educational environment; (d) the realization of having an inclusive government which includes indigenous peoples and settlers (Christians); and (e) the laying of the foundation for the establishment of an autonomous government. On another note, the decommissioning and socio-economic assistance to former combatants and their communities (normalization track) serves as one of the tasks ahead.

BARMM is scheduled to hold its first election for Bangsamoro Parliament in May next year and form an autonomous government based on the results.

In the peace process in Mindanao, which is about to enter a new step, the Symposium did not only clarify the positive policy from both the Philippine government and the BTA toward peace, but also provided a valuable opportunity to hear the opinions of parties concerned, especially about the future cooperation required of Japan and JICA. Likewise, we were able to share an opportunity to think about areas where the international community can do to support the path to peace in the Philippines and Mindanao, with the people who attended the event, the media present, and more than 200 people who participated online from all over the world.

JICA will continue to stand by Mindanao and support the comprehensive peace consolidation process.