MARAWI CITY (PIA)--Various international development partners of the Bangsamoro Government renewed their commitment to support BARMM in achieving sustainable and lasting peace and development during the 2nd Bangsamoro International Development Partners (BIDP) Forum 2023, February 15–16, in Davao City.

The forum, spearheaded by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) through the Support to Bangsamoro Transition Authority (SUBATRA) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO), was attended by different BARMM ministries, offices, and agencies, as well as international Official Development Assistance (ODA) partners.

These partners include Australian Aid, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Global Affairs, European Union (EU), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The World Bank (WB), United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF), United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the United Nations System.

EU Programme Officer Emily Mercado said, "We affirm our commitment to support sustainable peace and development in the region through SUBATRA, which covers six sub-sectoral objectives in the governance chapter of the plans."

Hori Kohei, the JICA Project Formulation Adviser, also said that they would continue to work with the Bangsamoro Government. He said, "JICA has a strong commitment to supporting Bangsamoro in various areas of projects in cooperation with international partners that have an effect on the peace process and the development of the community in the region."

Collectively, UNICEF Chief of Mindanao Field Office Radoslaw Rhehak, UNWFP Deputy Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya, and UNOPS Country Manager Oscar Mareno Ruiz likewise expressed their full commitment of support to sustain the dividends of peace and advance infrastructure, socio-political, and economic development in the Bangsamoro region.

"The World Bank is assuring the Bangsamoro Government on its cutting across commitment of support in the different areas of development interventions in the region," said Operating Manager Achim Fock.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim recognized the support and contribution of development partners since the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"The Bangsamoro administration acknowledged the vital role of our development partners in the Bangsamoro’s ambitions for peaceful and sustainable socio-economic development in the region," Ebrahim said.

In the same manner, the Chief Minister assured the development partners of their commitment to working together for peace and development through "moral governance."

"We must remind ourselves that the path to peace we took to achieve this level of autonomy cost us more than four decades of struggle. Therefore, the Government of the Day is committed to continuing to work for peace and development in the region through "moral governance," the Chief Minister added.

The activity also highlighted the thrust and priorities of the Bangsamoro Government in the 2nd BDP 2023–2028 and the Bangsamoro International Development Assistance Committee (BIDAC), which carried the theme "Stronger Partnerships for an Empowered, Cohesive, and Progressive Bangsamoro." It aimed to convene a high-level platform to enhance linkages and strengthen coordination between the Bangsamoro Government and international partners.

Abdulraof Macacua, the Senior Minister of BARMM, said the Bangsamoro Government is focused on meeting the economic, health, educational, and safety needs of its people, among other important services.

"We aim for a stronger partnership with our international partners to foster a more responsive government that listens and caters to the relevant needs of our people, especially with the approval of the 2nd Bangsamoro Development Plan 2023–2028," Macacua said.

During the forum, the salient features of the 6-year BARMM road map or the 2nd Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) 2023–2028 were also presented.

A panel of discussions, open fora, and groupings of the development partners according to their current programs, and services in the region with their respective development working group committees (Development Administration, Infrastructure; Economic, Social, and Peace, Public Safety, and Security) to discuss terms of reference for future bases of priority assistance and interventions in the region were conducted.

BPDA Director-General Engr. Mohajirin Ali said the forum will "definitely help the region in achieving the desire of the Bangsamoro, especially for the 2nd Development Plan that secured approval from the parliament."

He said that the government will fail if development partners don't take part because they fill in gaps, add to, and strengthen the effects of any programs or projects that they offer.

"I am very much thankful and overwhelmed with the response, active participation in the discussions, and the message of continuous commitment of support by the development partners in the region. I am hoping that this will be the beginning of toss commitment for more fruitful support and interventions ahead," Ali said.

Also present at the forum were other non-ODA partners, including The Asia Foundation (TAF), Islamic Relief Worldwide, Save the Children, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), Action Against Hunger (AAH), and Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, among others. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)