INTERVENTION PHILIPPINES 6th Forum on Minority issues 26-27 November 2013 Agenda Item No. 5: Promotion of Constructive Interfaith Dialogue, Consultation and Exchange The Philippines is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation-state. Philippine laws, especially the Philippine Constitution, recognize the rights of indigenous cultural communities, and allow the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship as a matter of State principle. Executive policy instruments are also anchored on respect for human rights and religious freedoms. This is reflected in the comprehensive peace - policy, the Philippine Development Plan, and Executive Order nos. 626 and 714, which the now National Council for Interfaith Initiatives, that facilitates the development, implementation and monitoring of the National Action Plan on Interfaith Cooperation. This National Action Plan on Interfaith Cooperation, crafted in partnership with civil society groups in 2006, is a consolidation of the resolutions and commitments agreed in various interfaith conferences, in order to identify key strategies or action points for promoting interfaith dialogLie. The Philippines has also assisted in the formation of a significant interfaith' mechanism called the Bishops-Ulama Conference, which is composed of 22 Catholic Bishops, 18 Protestant Bishops and Pastors and 24 Muslim Ularnas. The Government has been a partner of this group in the conduct of interfaith activities, since 1996 and has also maintained close linkages with other faith and inter-faith based organizations. The Philippines has also hosted regional and international interfaith initiatives:  2003: The Philippines hosted the first Asian Bishops-Ulama Conference.  2004: The Philippines tabled an unprecedented UN GA resolution for the adoption of interreligious dialogue for peace, which was unanimously adopted and inspired the convening of the UN Conference on Interfaith Cooperation for. Peace in 2005.  2005: The Philippines chaired the first Informal Meeting of World Leaders on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace in New York.