The Philippines Highlights Importance of People, Success of BARMM Peacebuilding, at U.N. Security Council Open Debate

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda delivers a statement at the UN Security Council Chamber during an open debate on the theme of “Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace” (Photo Credit: New York UN Photo Library)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK – The Philippines highlighted the success of peacebuilding efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at the Security Council Open Debate held on 26 January 2023 at the UN Headquarters. The theme of the Open Debate, under the presidency of Japan, was “Investment in people to enhance resilience against complex challenges" under the agenda item: Peacebuilding and sustaining peace.”

Philippine Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda discussed how investing in people allows multi-stakeholder initiatives to foster a culture of peace and resilience against complex challenges, noting that one key aspect is strengthening the meaningful participation of vulnerable groups, especially women and the youth.

The Deputy Permanent Representative cited investing in people in the case of the peace process in Southern Philippines as a good example.

“We had put premium on fostering an effective peace and development roadmap that is inclusive, participatory, conflict-, culture- and gender- sensitive for the Bangsamoro Peace Process,” Ambassador Peñaranda said.

“Through the Philippine Government’s efforts, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) promoted an inclusive and participatory dialogue involving all stakeholders, including women, the youth, faith leaders and civil society,” he added.

Ambassador Peñaranda also highlighted the important partnership between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, citing that while the interaction between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission has been sustainable, there is a need to further enhance its effectiveness through enhanced dialogue.

He noted the Peacebuilding Commission as an important institution that leads peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and is a key addition to the capacity of the international community in the broad peace agenda.

Ambassador Peñaranda said that financing is another critical component for peacebuilding and that the Philippines is supportive of the Secretary General’s initiative on investing in prevention and peacebuilding, and his proposal for the establishment of a Peacebuilding Fund.

At the Open Debate, United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed stated, “there is only one route to durable peace,” and “it is the route of sustainable development,” noting that “when we fail to meet the development needs of our time, we fail to secure peace for our future.”

Mr. Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, said, “inclusivity is key to advancing national peacebuilding processes and objectives, as it ensures that the needs of all segments of society are considered.”  

The Open Debate provided Member States of the United Nations with the opportunity to review the Council’s work on peacebuilding and discuss how best to evolve and strengthen it while taking into account contemporary threats and challenges to the maintenance of international peace and security.

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