By Francis T. Wakefield
Implementing partners of the United Nations Peace Building Fund (UNPBF) on Wednesday agreed to jumpstart the implementation of the programs and projects that will capacitate the future leaders of the Bangsamoro government and address root causes that drive violent extremism in some parts of Mindanao.
“Let's hit the ground running,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus G. Dureza, said as he presided over the meeting of the Fund’s Steering Committee at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao in Davao City on Wednesday.
The Steering Committee oversees the implementation of the projects and programs under the Peace Building Fund and is co-chaired by Dureza and UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Ola Almgren.
Other members of the Steering Committee are representatives of the UN Development Program, UN Children's Fund, UN Women, and civil society groups.
The UNPBF was conceptualized in 2017 for the UN bodies to collectively help in the peace process, especially in the transition period of the establishment of the new Bangsamoro region.