"The attendance of state leaders not only proves the importance of this forum but also the importance of democracy," said the minister in his speech at the 2011 BDF opening ceremony here Thursday.
According to Marty the eight heads of state/government attending the international event showed how Indonesia had progressed in promoting democracy.
Foreign leaders who attended the event were Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbataar Batbold, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay and Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Bullent Arinc.
"This reflects, no doubt, the strong commitment which the forum enjoys. In turn, this must surely reflect the value of the forum to the participants and the ever more widening recognition by countries in the region and the world at large of this Forum, in the promotion of democratic values and humanity in the Asia Pacific region," Marty said.
Held for the fourth time since its inception in 2008, the forum has grown ever more substantive in promoting dialog and cooperation on political developments and the promotion of democracy, Marty said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday morning opened the Bali Democracy Forum IV at the Bali International Convention Centre.
At the BDF sessions, Indonesia and Bangladesh were co-chairs. President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took turns in leading the discussions.
This year`s forum focused on efforts towards enhanced people`s participation by way of responding to democratic voices and relevant issues involved in the process.
Indonesia launched the first Bali Democracy Forum in 2008 in Bali with goals and objectives to place democracy as a strategic agenda in regional discourses in Asia, to forge closer understanding and cooperation among countries participating in he Bali Democracy Forum. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
