World Leaders Bound for Forum in Bali

Jakarta Globe, Made Arya Kencana, November 06, 2012

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be attending the Bali Democracy
Forum in Nusa Dua later this week. (AFP Photo) 

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Denpasar. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is among 12 heads of government coming to Nusa Dua later this week for the two-day Bali Democracy Forum.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said that leaders from Afghanistan, Australia, Brunei, China, East Timor, Iran, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Yemen had confirmed their attendance at the event.

“The Asean secretary general will also be present,” Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, the ministry’s technical cooperation director, told reporters in Denpasar on Monday.

The ministry said that the annual forum on Thursday and Friday would also be attended by 27 ministers.

“The number of ministers could increase, given that each head of state may bring along several ministers,” Siti said.

So far, 1,246 participants from 73 countries have confirmed their attendance. Countries not sending heads of government or ministers will be represented by appointed observers.

Siti said that the BDF would be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, with representatives from Australia and South Korea acting as co-chairs.

Ten heads of government will speak on democracy on the first day, while the agenda for the second day will be filled with discussions across three sessions.

Discussions in the first session will center on security and peace, the second session on human rights and the third session on economic development.

Several heads of government are also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will deliver a keynote speech at the conference.

During the address, Lee plans to stress the importance of democracy as a universal value of humankind and underscore the need to promote democracy for the sake of international peace, safety and prosperity, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.

On the sidelines, Lee will meet with Yudhoyono to discuss ways to deepen relations between the two countries to mark the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the Foreign Ministry said.

Trade volume between South Korea and Indonesia has more than doubled in the past five years, to $30.7 billion in 2011. Preliminary talks on a bilateral free trade deal have also taken place.

After the summit, Yudhoyono plans to award Lee with Indonesia’s highest state medal, Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna (Star of the Republic of Indonesia), in recognition for his contribution to relations between the two countries.

Ahmadinejad’s participation in the BDF comes after several years in which Iran has been represented by ministers.

Meanwhile, police and military have started to intensify security in Bali.

“Security points start from Bali’s entrance points,” Maj. Gen. Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, the head of Bali’s military command, said on Monday.

Wisnu said that security would be most intense in the Nusa Dua area, including around the meeting venue and hotels where the participants are staying.

Also protected will be roads to the meeting venue and strategic points such as the airport, waterways and tourism sites.

Security forces have deployed rubber boats, armored cars, helicopters and battleships as part of security measures.

Bali Police community director Putu Gde Suastawa said 1,400 personnel would be deployed to secure the event.

“We will also be assisted by pecalang [traditional village security officers] who will control security in their respective villages,” he said.

The BDF was an Indonesian government initiative first held in 2008 with the aim of developing democracy in the Asia Pacific. The forum seeks to promote regional and international cooperation in the development of peace and democracy through dialogue and the sharing of experiences.

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