The regional interfaith conference, participated in by at least 150 delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Malaysia, and Fiji Islands, is expected to come up today with the "Cebu Declaration" that will contain specific projects aimed at promoting peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Yesterday, the delegates were divided into four working groups, discussing the Cebu dialogue themes, which include "Interfaith Cooperation for Regional Peace and Security" chaired by Australia, the "Role of Education in Promoting Interfaith Cooperation" chaired by the Philippines, the "Role of Media in Promoting Interfaith Cooperation" chaired by New Zealand, and "Human Dignity, Development, and Interfaith Cooperation" chaired by Indonesia.

Media secretariat head Gilberto Asuque said the working groups are expected to consolidate their respective reports then submit the final draft to the secretariat for its inclusion in the final "Cebu Declaration" this afternoon.

Asuque said the content of the Cebu Declaration will be announced today during the joint press conference of faith leaders.

The Cebu dialogue is a follow-on activity from the first dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation on Peace, Development, and Human Dignity and Specific Country-Level Commitments, incorporating recommendations from the workshop themes on regional peace and security, development and human dignity, roles of education, and media.

The first interfaith dialogue was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in December 2004, bringing together 136 religious leaders from 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to thresh out practical measures that governments and communities can take to improve social conditions and promote harmony and development on the grassroots level.