Audience at the Global Peace Convention 2009.

Close to 2,000 local and foreign peace advocates from 28 countries have convened starting Dec. 10 at the historic Manila Hotel for the Global Peace Convention, with Moro leader Eid Kabalu appealing to the forum delegates to support the resolution of the Mindanao conflict through peaceful means.

An American citizen of Korean descent and Founder of the Global Peace Foundation, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, led the Global Peace Convention themed “Peace-building 2010: Family Interfaith Service.” It ends Monday, Dec. 14.

Kabalu heads the Civil-Military Affairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but he hastened to add that he participated in the forum and appealed as another peace advocate to the delegates to help in the 13 years old Mindanao peace process.

“I am fortunate to be invited and took advantage to attain, not as a representative of the MILF. My participation is in my capacity as another peace advocate,” said Kabalu.

“In my speech, I appealed to the close to 2,000 peace advocates from around 28 countries to support the resolution of the Mindanao conflict through negotiated settlement,” the Moro peace advocate said.