Supporting the conclusion of an historic peace agreement in the Philippines

In October 2012, the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reached an historic peace agreement to end decades of conflict in the south of the Philippines. According to some  estimates, the conflict has caused the  death of at least 120,000 and the displacement of a further 2 million people.

This framework agreement opens the path to the creation of a  ministerial form of government in Mindanao, south Philippines, for the first time, as well as the development of a basic law by the Bangsamoro people.

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (the HD Centre) is  present in the Philippines since 2005, and has been engaged the peace process between the Government and the MILF since 2007. The organization co-ordinates the International Contact Group which has advised and supported the parties in the conflict as well as the Malaysian Government, the official facilitator of this agreement, since 2009.

The HD Centre is an independent mediation and private diplomacy organization based in Geneva. Its goal is to assist in the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts on an international scale through dialogue and mediation. The HD Centre opens channels of communication, mediates between belligerents, facilitates dialogue and provides support to the mediation and peacebuilding community. The HD Centre supports local and nationally-owned processes aimed at protecting civilians and promoting just and lasting peace.