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PEACETALK: More best practices and lessons learned to share … for the benefit of ASEAN and the world

[Remarks delivered by Rezlan Ishar Jenie, Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation at the Seminar on the Outcome of the ASEAN-IPR Research Project: “Lessons Learned from a Process of Conflict Resolution between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as Mediated by Indonesia 1993-1996,” held at the ASEAN Hall of the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia on 23 September 2019]

Selamat pagi. Good morning.

His Excellency Dr. Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia,
His Excellency, Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community,

Excellencies, Members of the Governing Council and Advisory Board of the ASEAN-IPR,
Distinguished Speakers and Guests,
Friends of ASEAN-IPR,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, it is my privilege and pleasure to welcome you all to the Seminar on the Outcome of the Institute’s Research Project entitled “Lessons Learned from a Process of Conflict Resolution between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as Mediated by Indonesia (1993-1996)”.

Southeast Asia has experienced, managed, and resolved disputes and conflicts through various measures and initiatives, which constitute success stories and as great assets in contributing to peace and stability of the region.

23jenie11
Rezlan Ishar Jenie, Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. Jenie was former chair of the Peace Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Southern Philippines. MindaNews photo by CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS

The very concept of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, as reflected in its mandate, derives – among others – from a thought to collect, gather, and take stock on best practices and lessons learned of pacific settlement of disputes, as well as peaceful resolution of conflicts. And as a priority from those disputes and conflicts happening in its own region in the past.

It is hoped that by learning from the past, the Institute could contribute to ASEAN’s efforts in raising awareness of, and promoting, a culture of peace and the values of tolerance, as called for in the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025.

Through such endeavour, the Institute is also to be a platform for Member States, along with all stakeholders to collaborate on issues of peace and reconciliation, through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

This event today, is indeed a milestone for the Institute, to share the findings of its first ever research project, and launch the publication of its Lessons Learned. I am hopeful that these lessons learned would add to the existing body of knowledge and understanding, of how conflict resolution, reconciliation and peace are attained and sustained.

I must underline that today, not only are we marking the conclusion of the Institute’s first ever research project, but we are also celebrating and paying our tribute to the countries, organisations and players involved in the peace negotiations from 1993 to 1996.

In this context, it is my great pleasure to recognise friends – whether coming from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, or from the Moro National Liberation Front – of whom I have had the privilege to know and work with during talks on reviewing the Implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (from 2007 to 2012), which resulted in some 42 points of consensus, and I heard, were engraved into the Bangsamoro Basic Law, as referred to in the Epilogue part of the research report.

Finally, I would like congratulate the Government of Indonesia, its Representative to the Governing Council, Ambassador Artauli Tobing and her team for spearheading this initiative for the Institute. I would also like to acknowledge and to commend the Indonesian-Filipino research team, headed by Bapak Jamil Maidan Flores (my good friend), for their excellent work in designing and undertaking the research.

My appreciation and thanks go to the Government of Japan for their generous support to this endeavour, through the Japan- ASEAN Integration Fund – here represented by Ms. Setsuko Miyakawa.

To the distinguished Members of the Governing Council and Advisory Board, I would like to recognise and appreciate the guidance, and look to your support for more of this kind of initiative come to fruition.

Last and certainly not least, I would like to convey my appreciation to all resource persons and participants to this Seminar. I fervently believe that your participation, valuable thoughts and insights would bring this topic and the research into a greater dimension, and give us – the Institute – the necessary push and encouragement in contributing further to the ASEAN community-building process, and fulfil our objectives.

As there are no conflicts that are exactly alike, ASEAN – as I have mentioned earlier – have more best practices and lessons learned to share. It is indeed the Institute’s endeavour to be the hub in sharing these lessons, for the benefit of the region, and the world. The ASEAN-IPR Secretariat, as always, stands ready to take on new projects, as well as to support and assist Member States in spearheading upcoming initiatives for the future.

With that, I look forward to a lively discussion, and a productive Seminar.

Terima kasih. Thank you very much.

 

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