Bali Democracy Forum Expected To Support Global Peace, Security

Kuta (Antara Bali) - The upcoming 5th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) is expected to support global peace and security for the world's economic development, according to a foreign affairs ministry official.

"The Bali Democracy Forum is a regional forum for the exchange of experiences and the learning of best practices among nations," said Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, the foreign affairs ministry`s technical cooperation director, here on Monday.

She noted that the forum has become a prominent global platform for promoting democracy. "We don`t try to enforce democracy on other countries, but we share experiences, particularly between democratic countries and those progressing towards democracy," Siti explained.

"However, Indonesia wants the entire Asia-Pacific to become a democratic region in order to support economic development and improve the people`s welfare across the region," she added.

She expressed hope that the Bali Democracy Forum would successfully promote the importance of democratic values. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to open the forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, on November 8.

The event is expected to be attended by 12 heads of state from, among others, Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, Yemen, Timor Leste, South Korea, and New Papua Guinea.

At least 27 ministers and representatives from 73 countries will participate in the forum. "Up to Monday, 1,243 people have registered themselves, and we expect that the number of participating countries will be more than 73," Siti said. (*/T007)