INDONESIA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Australia's Julia Gillard, and South Korea's Lee Myung-Bak open democracy forum in Bali, committing to promoting peace and development

Record ID: 644404

  • Title: INDONESIA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Australia's Julia Gillard, and South Korea's Lee Myung-Bak open democracy forum in Bali, committing to promoting peace and development
  • Date: 8th November 2012
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF DANCERS PERFORMING
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAC1VHEIM5C5IYIQAA4MQLIXP5J
  • Story Text: Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the 5th Bali Democracy Forum on Thursday (November 8), telling fellow leaders that they have a common interest in promoting democratic principles in Asia-Pacific.
    The two-day forum that counts 11 heads of state among 1,200 participants, including 27 foreign ministers from 73 countries, will discuss how democratic global governance can contribute to international peace and security, economic development and human rights in the wake of political transitions around the world.
    In opening remarks, Yudhoyono said growing participation in the forum could help spread best practices in democratic rule, urging leaders to build resilient democracies by nurturing its principles.

    "Commitment for democracy should not be taken for granted as it may weaken when people are faced with pressing political, economic, and social challenges. This is why our forum becomes even more relevant in the future," Yudhoyono said.
    Australian Prime MInister Julia Gillard, who is co-chairing the forum with Yudhoyono and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, said there is no one template for democracy but universal values are enshrined in international law.

    "Australia is committed to internationally stated and agreed values of development, democracy and peace, above all to the right of all societies and nations to exist in security and peace. A peace in which the rights of every person and every nation are respected, in which agreements between nations are respected and no nations threatens another," Gillard said in her speech.
    Lee said democracy goes hand in hand with economic growth.

    "The Republic of Korea has experienced that development and growth can only be sustainable when they were pursued along with democracy. Based on this experience, we're supporting developing countries to expand their economy and society upon democratic governance," he said.
    The Bali Democracy Forum is an open intergovernmental forum that promotes the development of democracy in the Asia Pacific region.
    High-profile attendees in this year's meeting include Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights Navi Pillay.
    Leaders will take part in debates wherein they will present their views.
    Observers have criticised the forum as a mere talk shop with no real impact on capacity building, and even serving as a venue for rogue regimes to court legitimacy.
    Ahmadinejad is attending the event for the first time, a move that experts say runs with Iran's efforts to build ties with friendly countries in the face of biting sanctions over its nuclear programme.
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