DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 17 February) – The United Nations (UN) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace and development initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). During the 5th Bangsamoro International Development Partners Forum (BIDPF), held last week and attended by over 200 officials and representatives from international, national, and regional institutions, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Arnaud Peral emphasized the UN’s dedication to the region. The forum, themed “From Promise to Prosperity: Celebrating Gains, Accelerating BARMM’s Transformation Through Strategic Partnerships,” highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts. Peral noted that 18 UN organizations are actively engaged in BARMM, employing over 230 personnel, many of whom are locals familiar with regional challenges and solutions. Established in 2019, BARMM remains in a transition period under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), a result of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. UN agencies, including UNICEF, FAO, UNDP, UNESCO, WHO, UNFPA, and WFP, work alongside BARMM ministries and partners to deliver peace and development outcomes. Peral underscored peacebuilding as central to their efforts, citing examples like women peace facilitators in Lanao del Sur who mediate conflicts and rebuild trust. Addressing governance and public financial management, the UN’s 2024-2028 cooperation framework prioritizes institutional capacity-building. Engr. Mohajirin Ali, director general of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, highlighted milestones such as the Bangsamoro Development Plan and the Bangsamoro International Development Assistance Committee, emphasizing partnerships aligned with BARMM priorities. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
