1 July 2013 - A Debriefing for Member States on the Joint GPH-OIC-OCHA (Philippine Government-Organization of Islamic Cooperation-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) Partnership Mission to the Philippines was held in Geneva on June 28.

In the Briefing, the Philippines was hailed as a model to be emulated for their excellent cooperation with the international humanitarian community and the sterling relations with the OIC in dealing with the multifaceted situation of conflict and disaster in Mindanao.

The “Triangular” Cooperation characterized by the Mission and conceptualized and implemented under the guidance and leadership of the Philippines, was underscored as something to be replicated in other parts of the region.

The strong and important linkage between humanitarian assistance and development, which the Philippine Government pushed forward at the outset of the assistance plan for Mindanao, was likewise lauded.

Member States and OIC representatives acknowledged their commitment and the need to support continuing efforts to improve the mechanisms for resilience, preparedness, response and recovery to foster positive developments in Mindanao. The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva further called on the international community’s collective support and assistance to effectively complement the Philippine Government’s efforts towards building peace, stability and development for its people.

Present at the meeting were Deputy Permanent Representative Denis Lepatan, Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. of the Philippine Mission, Mr. Rashid Khalikov of OCHA, Ambassador Atta El Manan Bakhit of OIC, Representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, Sweden, Chile, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, United States, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Japan, Pakistan, Ecuador, New Zealand, Mexico, ICRC, UNICEF, WFP among others. END