MILF delegation, UN in Manila affirm partnership for peace in Mindanao

A high-level delegation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) visited the United Nations (UN)  office in Makati City last Thursday to affirm their partnership for peace in Mindanao.

The MILF said the visit is part of the partnerships the UN and World Bank currently have with the MILF, the Transition Commission and the peace panel.

Heading the delegation sent by the MILF central committee was peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal. Other members included peace panel member Prof. Abhoud Sayed Lingga, Ustadz Ibrahim Ali of the Transition Commission (TC) and MILF technical working group member Naguib Sinarimbo.

According to the MILF, the visit is the "first ever by a high ranking official of the MILF to the UN Office in Manila."

Receiving the delegation were Praveen Agrawal, acting UN resident coordinator and World Food Program Country Director, and Alma Evangelista of the UNDP.

The delegation received a tour around the UN office, with Agrawal relaying the gratitude of UN resident coordinator Luiza Carvalho, who is currently in Brazil, to the MILF delegation for visiting the UN office.

Carvalho also thanked the MILF for a "fruitful partnership."

Following the tour, a meeting ensued with Matt Stephens and Nick Leffer of the World Bank taking part in it.

"The meeting extensively discussed the next steps for the partnership given the approval of the FASTRAC workplan by the Consultative Committee last July 29. The MILF expressed thanks to UN and WB for the continuing partnership and the much needed technical assistance in the anticipated transitions to the Bangsamoro," the MILF said.

FASTRAC is a facility established through an exchange of letters between the UN/WB and the MILF. It was launched in Camp Darapanan last April 29.

It aims to deliver technical assistance to the MILF and other stakeholders in the peace process to ensure a successful conclusion of the peace negotiations. - VVP, GMA News