Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya signed and exchanged notes with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran on May 5, 2025 for the project promoting human security through the Community Economic Development and Livelihood Initiatives in Bangsamoro Region (CEDAR).
The ceremony was witnessed by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (PAPRU) Carlito Galvez Jr., Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) co -chair Akmad Brahim and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Minister for Interior and Local Government Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Japan agreed to provide a grant of 454 million yen for community development and capacity building activities in the Bangsamoro region to be implemented by the UNDP for three years.
The project is expected to create sustainable livelihood programs and enhance local capacities of decommissioned combatants, women, the youth and indigenous peoples to help transform the conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities into stable and socially cohesive communities.