"This forum has a lot of positive values for the participants in their efforts to build social life and to reduce poverty," Agung Laksono said after opening the forum.
Agung said that through the forum, the participating countries would be able to exchange experience in poverty reduction programs.
"For example, Indonesia can learn from China, a country with a special minister in the field of poverty management," Agung said, adding that Indonesia could learn a lot from China too which put forward populist economic programs.
According to Agung, such forum has been held in a number of countries as China and Vietnam, but this year the forum is held in Indonesia as ASEAN chairman.
"Besides, China is also interested because Indonesia managed to reduce the number the poor by 0.7 percent to 0.8 percent per year," said Agung, the Golkar Party politician.
He said reducing poverty by 0.7 percent to 0.8 percent per year was an Indonesia achievement in tackling poverty.
"But the government has yet to be satisfied with the figures, and therefore we will continue making every effort to reach more thanr 1 percent per year," Agung said.
He expressed hope that the forum, themed "Poverty Reduction Through Quality of Growth", would establish cooperation in comprehensive social development and poverty management.
(Uu.O001/H-NG)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
