PASAY CITY—The 1st National Peace Convention was held on January 25, 2023 with the theme, “Peace Builds One Nation, One Future: Peace is Here”, attended by over 1,500 peace advocates to build a holistic roadmap towards the attainment of national unity through peace in consonance with the Marcos Administration’s agenda.

Dr. Ronald Adamat, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Founding Chairman of Volunteer Individuals for Peace (VIP), spearheaded the event.

"We want peace to reign in our country. We want peace to be the language everyone of us will speak and every Filipino and every foreigner will understand. Today, let's declare peace as a pandemic. Infect people not to rest in peace but to live in peace," said Dr. Adamat.

Dr. Adamat is the first Filipino recipient of the prestigious Mahatma MK Gandhi Prize for Non-Violent Peace awarded last year in recognition of his contributions to peace-building including the higher education

In attendance also is Chairman Lee Man-hee of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a 92-year old Korean war veteran.

“Peacebuilding in Mindanao after conflict is becoming known worldwide. This is the case of transforming death into life for peace. Starting with Mindanao and the Philippines, when we unite in love, peace will come to our world. For this reason, everyone in the Philippines has to become one and work together as messengers of peace,” said Chairman Lee.

The two peace advocates first met in 2017 during HWPL World Peace Summit held in South Korea. As an expression of their shared commitment to promoting peace, CHED and HWPL signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in 2018 to integrate peace education in the higher education curricula.

The convention commenced with the first Plenary Session followed by parallel sessions in the afternoon. The parallel sessions were conducted separately for five sector groups—lawmakers and non-government organizations, academe and youth, religious and ethnic groups, women, and media. Each session drafted a resolution which contained their solidarity with the organizers’ peace-building efforts.

The five resolutions were consolidated during the second Plenary Session to call for President Bongbong Marcos to proclaim January 24 as ‘National Peace Day’ or “Truce Day”.

The date January 24 was proposed in commemoration of a civilian-led peace agreement signed at General Santos City in 2014 to boost reconciliation among the local communities. It was proposed by Chairman Lee to mediate between the existing conflict in Mindanao at the time. The date was later declared as ‘HWPL Peace Day’ by then Maguindanao governor Toto Mangudadatu in 2015 and BARMM Chief Minister and MILF Chairman Ahod Ebrahim in 2016.

The organizers believe that the declaration of a National Peace Day shall be the mechanism by which every year, peace-related activities are observed and celebrated across the country.

The launch ceremony of the pilot project of the Global Transit Document took place on August 17, 2022 at the Berkarar Hotel of the Avaza National Tourist Zone.

The Global Transit Document (GTrD), which is a universal digital solution for the development of multimodal transportation, is the result of fruitful cooperation between the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission of the International Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) with the International Center for Transport Diplomacy, the Intergovernmental Council of Road Workers of the CIS, and the world's largest developers of IT technologies, as well as with countries that have shown interest in piloting the GTrD.

The launch ceremony of the pilot project of the Global Transit Document was attended by the Executive Secretary of the International Center for Transport Diplomacy I.Runov, the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Council of Road Workers of the Commonwealth of Independent States B.Karimov, as well as representatives of the countries of the region - Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The speakers emphasized that at the turn of the third decade of the 21st century, economic realities and trends in the development of the world economy created an obvious need for the development and implementation of a unified Global Transit Document in order to optimize the management of the transport process along multimodal corridors connecting states of different regions and continents.

The introduction of a digital platform of the global transit network based on the latest technologies using the Global Transit Document will make it possible to extend the customs guarantee and insurance regime, as well as ensure the traceability of goods and vehicles along the entire route from the starting point to the destination.

At the end of the official launch ceremony of the pilot project of the Global Transit Document, its participants adopted a Joint Statement, in which they confirmed the readiness of the parties for further cooperation in promoting the proposal to create a global digital transit network at various levels, as well as within the United Nations.

The current reform and remaining challenges in Georgia’s water sector were the focus of the 7th steering committee meeting of the National Policy Dialogue on Integrated Water Resource Management on 5 March.

Delegates from national authorities, local stakeholders, non-governmental organisations and international experts from EU Member States shared practical experiences of the water reform journey and discussed the next steps in ensuring environmentally-sound management of water resources.

The EU Water Directives provided a framework to set up policy objectives for Georgia’s water sector. The National Policy Dialogue supports water reform by strengthening water governance and enhancing stakeholder involvement in the decision-making process.

The meeting discussed the progress made on legal and regulatory reforms, the development of pilot river basin management plans for the Alazani-Lori and Khrami-Debeda basins and emerging needs associated with implementing the EU Association Agreement.

The meeting was facilitated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia with support from the European Union through the ‘European Union Water Initiative plus for the Eastern Partnership Countries’ (EUWI+) programme.

The National Strategy of Turkmenistan on Climate Change has been adopted and presently serves as the main national document on the implementation of activities in the area of climate change.    

The National Strategy of Turkmenistan on Climate Change reflects the national viewpoint of the issues related to the climate change and acts as a basis for developing and implementing the state policy of Turkmenistan in the area of climate change and its impacts. The worsening of global climate change brought to the adoption of immediate measures. The Government of Turkmenistan designed an action plan based on the Sustainable Development Goals including the Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as well as the need for timely implementation of the obligations of the Paris Agreement. The need for revising and renewing the National Strategy of Turkmenistan on Climate Change came about.  In this context, in 2018 the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection of Turkmenistan initiated the preparation of the new version of the National Strategy of Turkmenistan on Climate Change, in assistance of the UNDP.          

On the international arena, this Strategy serves as the main instrument of Turkmenistan reflecting the standpoint of the country during the negotiations and acts as the fundamental document for the preparation of reports on the implementation of its obligations in the framework of global climate agreements.  

The adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of two Resolutions on “The Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund of Saving the Aral Sea” in 2018 and 2019 initiated by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has a direct connection to the establishment of full format international mechanism of collaboration in the area of ecology and particularly to the joint work on the prevention of the Aral Sea crisis’ impacts.       

In the framework of the chairmanship in the International Fund of Saving the Aral Sea for 2017-2019, Turkmenistan already implements a number of proposals on the intensification of cooperation between the countries of the region with the aim of developing the ecological and social-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin.   

This strategy is the recognition of the merits of Turkmenistan in the process of strengthening efficient international collaboration on improving the ecological and social-economic situation in the world. 

On March 14^th, about 30,000 people from all sectors of the society including government officials, religious leaders, heads of NGOs, media persons, and citizen gathered in Seoul, South Korea, to redouble efforts for the establishment of international law for peace.

Hitting the 3rd anniversary this year, the annual commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) was hosted by an international peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), to share the progress of activities undertaken to introduce the DPCW to the UN as a resolution.

The DPCW drafted by international law experts includes principles of peacebuilding such as the prohibition of the use of force, development of friendly relations, and peaceful dispute settlement. And it emphasizes international cooperation based on interfaith dialogue and civic participation to create and spread a culture of peace.

Mr. Pravin Harjivandas Parekh, President of Confederation of Indian Bar, said “The strength of HWPL is to awaken and tie the civil with the idea of peace. The DPCW connects considerably with civil societies contributors since peace cannot be continued just through the voices of elites and institutional processes. It suggests civic societies function as the peace-building actors which aim for the implementation of the citizens’ advocacy encouraging a culture of peace.”

Regarding a culture of peace, Ms. Anna Cervenakova, member of Human Rights Research Center, explained that it means a certain system of values where on the first place is a respect for human life, ending the war, armed conflicts or violence and taking action in promoting peace, human rights, fundamental freedoms, sustainable development, and environmental needs for present and future generations.

According to the progress report announced at the event, the DPCW has been supported by Seychelles, eSwatini, and Comoros at the governmental level. At the international level, the inter-governmental organizations such as PARLACEN (Central American Parliament), PAP (Pan-African Parliament), and Centre for BBS (International Centre for Black Sea-Baltic Studies and Consensus Practices) have cooperated with HWPL for the enactment of the DPCW through signing MOU.

Along with the official support from governments and international organizations, this year’s anniversary highlighted the “Peace Letters” to the heads of states and UN ambassadors in 193 countries. Written by global citizens, the “Peace Letter Campaign” as a part of advocacy plan for the international movement for peacebuilding by civic participation has been carried out worldwide to collect support from women, youth, and citizens for the establishment of a legally-binding framework for international law for peace.

“Since 2018, IPYG has collected over 200,000 peace letters and sent them to the 7 heads of states: South Africa, Indonesia, New Zealand, Namibia, Malaysia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea. Starting from today, we have great expectations for its future. The first goal is to submit the DPCW to the UN General Assembly in the form of a draft resolution and have it adopted. The second is to create a new peninsula to achieve peaceful unification. Let us become all heroes of peace together,” said Mr. Young Min Chung of general director of IPYG. 

After the first session, peace lectures on “Civil Society’s Role for Peaceful Unification, Exchange, and Cooperation of the Korean Peninsula” followed at the second session. This peace lecture was aimed to call for the collaborative efforts of civil society for peacebuilding among the two Koreas based on the principals of the DPCW.

Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL said, “Korea has undergone much sorrow from the division, which still threatens our daily lives. When I was 20 years old, I had no choice but to join the tragic war. We need to listen to what the soldiers said. They blamed their countries. Do the countries compensate for the loss of life? There should be no longer victims of war in our globe. Should we stand still and do nothing in this reality?”

“The unification of Germany was triggered by citizens, not the force or politics. Some might say that the military confrontation serves as a major challenge to peace and unification. Use of force must be dissuaded to achieve peace, which is also designated in the DPCW. It has principles to secure peace in our times. When we advocate peace to our national leaders, they can be peace advocates; But if they do not listen to their people, they will be offenders against peace,” he added.

The host organization, HWPL, is a peace NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC and associated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the UN DGC. For the purpose of ceasing all wars and creating a peaceful world as a legacy for future generations, HWPL has been carrying out 3 main peace initiatives - International law for peace, Inter-faith dialogue meeting, and Peace education.

Turkmen team successfully performed at the Open Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Europe Cup in Plock, having won two gold, four silver and one bronze medals.

Student of National Institute of Sports and Tourism Dovran Atayev (up to 77 kg) and Batyr Bayramgeldiyevwho was the best in the weight category up to 61 kg were the champions of the tournament.

Yalkym Nuriyev won the silver in the weigh category up to 70 kg. Two students of National Institute of Sports and Tourism Gulshat Gylyjova (up to 55 kg) and Leyli Kazakova (up to 60 kg) as well as student of Turkmen State Architectural and Construction Institute Jahan Durdiyeva (up to 55 kg) also won silver medals.

Anna Bayramdurdiyeva won the bronze in the weight category up to 84 kg.

Therefore, all seven sportsmen of Turkmenistan national team participating in the tournament won different medals.

 The state news agency of Turkmenistan

On May 28, 2017 Lia Gigauri, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Nino Buachidze, USAID representatives and Marina Ushveridze, Chief of Party of “Momavlis Taoba” program welcomed participants of Civics Teachers’ National Fair-Conference at the Tbilisi Exhibition Center.

The Civics Teachers’ National Fair-Conference brought together 250 civics teachers from all regions of Georgia to discuss innovations in the field of civics education, share experiences, and participate in professional development. Awards for the best civics teachers of the year were given to civics teachers at an award ceremony during the conference.

National Fair-Conference of Civics Teachers was held in the framework of USAID-funded Momavlis Taoba Project, which is implemented by PH International.

The Georgian city of Batumi on 8 March will host this year’s National Women’s Business Forum, with the support of EU4Business. It will gather women entrepreneurs from all regions of the country, public, private and civil society organisations that support women’s entrepreneurship in Georgia, and national, regional and local government decision-makers.

The main topic of the Forum is women’s economic empowerment, financing opportunities for women start-ups and sharing of experience. Successful examples shared by women entrepreneurs from Georgia and neighbouring countries will give participants more knowledge about existing grant projects and loans and how to expand business.

Private and governmental organisations implementing grant projects will introduce financial opportunities via info desks. Panel discussions will be held between the participants and financing organisations, which will help to establish close linkages.

The Forum is organised by the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Ajara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Association of Businesswomen of Ajara (ABWA).

The event is supported by the EU-funded “SME Development and DCFTA in Georgia” project, implemented through the EU4Business initiative.

David Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy celebrated its 24th anniversary. The event was opened with the performance of the National Anthem of Georgia by the military orchestra of the National Guard.

The Minister of Defence Levan Izoria, Chancellor of the National Security Council David Rakviashvili, Chief of General Staff Major General Vladimir Chachibaia and the rector of the academy Colonel Zaza Japaridze congratulated the representatives of the institution with the jubilee. The attendees of the event also included Deputy Defence Minister Nukri Gelashvili, Deputy Defence Minister Zaal Kapalandze, deputies of the Chief of General Staff and the families of military personnel and students of the academy.

Within the ceremonial event, number of academy’s personnel has been decorated for the successful military service. The Medal "For Irreproachable Service" was awarded to four servicemen in the 1st class and to fifteen servicemen in the 2nd class, while three servicemen of the academy received the award rifles. Students of the academy distinguished in various sports and educational activities were also awarded at the ceremony, five of whom additionally received timepieces from Timer Georgia LLC.

The event ended with the concert by the academy students, sports activities and a gala dinner.

David Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy is the educational institution with the fundamental goals of promoting academic and military education, fostering the development of Georgian Armed Forces and upbringing generations of the officers of high morale and leadership skills.

The academy was founded on May 28, 1993 and since the first graduation of officers in 1997 it went through a number of significant changes. In 2011 the academy was granted a status of the educational university, followed by the establishment of the bachelors and masters’ degree programs and the development of the officers’ educational system and career schools. On September 8, 2015, within the status of the educational university, the first group of officers graduated the academy. 105 lieutenants earned the bachelors’ degree.

David Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy actively continues the development of its study programs that fully correspond to the international educational 

The Bureau considered the agenda for April 19-21 plenary sessions and assigned the leading and mandatory Committees for new initiatives.
The agenda includes 15 issues: for I reading the drafts on: Higher Education; Red Cross Society; Rules of Procedure; for the II reading the drafts on: State Property; Machakhela National Park; Regulation Fees. MPs will hear the report by the Personal Data Protection Inspector on activity for 2016.