Nordic ambassadors from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden recently visited the Bangsamoro region in the southern Philippines to strengthen cooperation with local partners and reaffirm their commitment to peacebuilding.
The delegation was welcomed by Chief of Staff Frank Johansen of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), where discussions focused on the ongoing decommissioning of former combatants and weapons. Norway serves as vice chair of the IDB and has four representatives stationed in Cotabato to support the process.
Established by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the IDB plays a central role in the transition of former MILF forces under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. During the visit, the ambassadors also met with the Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST), a collaborative unit made up of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.
Norway currently supports IOM Philippines programming with the JPST, focusing on Women, Peace and Security as well as renewable energy initiatives in the Bangsamoro region. Through their engagements, the Nordic countries expressed continued interest in contributing to a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for the area.
Bangsamoro consists of different regions and islands in the south of the Philippines with a largely Muslim population. The region has been plagued by tensions and conflict dating back to the 1960s, stemming from religious and cultural differences with broader Filipino culture. A new political entity called the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was formed in February 2019, granting the region a certain level of independence under the Philippine government. In April 2025, the region held its first parliamentary election.
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