Thank you, Co-Chairs. I wish to thank Turkey and Finland, for organizing this event. We commend the Secretary-General for his untiring promotion of mediation in place of confrontation for the resolution of disputes. Mediation leaves something worthwhile for the parties to a conflict by creating opportunities for peace. Rather than weakness and fear, the willingness to have disputes mediated requires strength, courage, and “a deep understanding of leaders and and their constituencies – and strong political will,” according to the Secretary-General of the UN.

The Manila Declaration for the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes is eponymous with the Philippine desire for peace – and, emphatically, its contempt for settlement by the threat of force. When used in key phases of conflict, mediation is a game-changer especially in indecisive conflicts. The Philippine experience attests to this.

After two decades of sustained engagement in a peace process, the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte enacted the Bangsamoro Organic Law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region without sacrificing the Republic’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; and without sacrificing the safety, security nor any of the legitimate aspirations of those living in Southern Mindanao – Muslims, Christians, and indigenous peoples. All within the framework of one indivisible democratic republic with the same Bill of Rights for all, guaranteeing inter alia religious freedom and gender equality.

Regarding peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and a member of the Cabinet, retired General Carlito Galvez, announced that the “doors for peace negotiations with the communist rebels are still open” because those who fight the wars are the best at making the peace. We also thank Norway for its perseverance and help, and we hope, continuing engagement in this peace process.

Secretary Galvez’s People’s Peace Tables employs local mediation in conflict areas as a key negotiation strategy by providing local platforms for significant stakeholders to discuss conflict issues and concerns directly affecting them and which stand in the way of peace.

As the first, most numerous, and worst affected victims of conflicts, women have a critical and prominent role throughout any peace process, and mediation.

A key lesson from our experience has been that transparency through mediation inspires trust which encourages sincere and meaningful dialogue because keeping one’s cards close their chest is ultimately self-defeating. Thank you.