On August 25, 2018, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Dr. Salem Y. Lingasa, Secretary-General of the MILF, had a private meeting with Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, President of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and Dr. Yusuke Takagi, Assistant Professor at GRIPS, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The four were in Jakarta to participate in the Asian Statesmen’s Forum on August 25-26. When President Tanaka was president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), he visited the Bangsamoro region and spoke with Chairman Murad, but this was the first time for the two to meet since Dr. Tanaka became President of GRIPS.

During the meeting, Chairman Murad noted that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was in the process of successful implementation, and expressed his thanks for the opportunity to take part in the Asian Statesmen’s Forum and exchange views with leaders from Japan and ASEAN countries during his region’s period of transition. He also expressed gratitude for the continuing assistance of JICA.

President Tanaka characterized GRIPS as a graduate institute for the development of administrative officials in mid-career and described the MILF-related projects which GRIPS had executed so far. In response, Chairman Murad indicated keen interest in human resource development, and said the demand for education as a whole, including basic education, was high in the Bangsamoro region.

GRIPS aims to continue its engagement, in coordination with the Japanese government and JICA, in activities aimed at peace and stability in the Bangsamoro region.

 The scene at the meeting

(in the rear at left, Chairman Murad; in front at right, President Tanaka)

A photo together after the meeting

(From left, Secretary-General Salem, Chairman Murad, President Tanaka, and Assistant Professor Takagi)