Minister Furnishes Updates on BDF

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has reported on the progress of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), through which the experiences drawn from the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region are discussed.

"Nations in our region have grown closer together, not drawn apart, in the common desire to peacefully promote democratic principles and governance," Marty revealed while speaking here on Friday about the progress made by the BDF VII.

According to the minister, the countries in the Asia-Pacific region participating in the BDF have represented their diverse democratic styles as part of the solution and have shared the lessons learnt in the process.

The participants are ready to provide support and encouragement, regardless of their unique journey in promoting democracy.

"The BDF, which is now in its seventh year, has been an invaluable part of such a regional democratic architecture. It has helped to ensure that a spirit of positive partnership and mutual support is nurtured and built among countries of the region," Marty stated.

The four heads of states: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Philippines President Benigno Aquino, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao have inaugurated the BDF VII at the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC).

"Democracy without political development is a democracy at a standstill. It is like walking on a treadmill: you know you are moving, but you are not getting anywhere. This means that institutions do not develop," President Yudhoyono remarked during his opening speech at the BDF VII.

According to Yudhoyono, democracy without public participation is hollow, and it will succeed only when the initiative can gain public trust.

"No government can be fully effective unless it has the confidence of the citizenry. Once you lose it, it is very difficult to regain it, and even if you do, it takes a long time," Yudhoyono stressed.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah noted that the series of BDF meetings is the testament of Yudhoyono's foresightedness as the decade-long Indonesian president.

He added that the Indonesian democracy, led by Yudhoyono, has significantly boosted economic growth and development.

"I am confident that under the guidance of his successor, Joko Widodo, we will continue to have positive progress in our region," Sultan affirmed.

The BDF is an annual foreign ministerial meeting, which was established by former foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda in 2008.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has chosen the theme for BDF VII as "Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation, and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century."

At least 85 countries, including eight international non-governmental organizations and observers, are attending the BDF VII in Nusa Dua, Bali Province, for discussing the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. (WDY)